20th May 2024
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardliner and potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash in Mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border, offcials and state media said on Monday.
The charred on Sunday carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six other passengers and crew was found early this morning, Monday after an overnight search in blizzard conditions.
”President Raisi, the foreign minister and all the passengers in the helicopter were killed in the clash.” a senior Iranian Offical told Reuters, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Raisi’s death was later confirmed in a statement on social media by Vice President Mohsen Mansouri and on state television. First Vice President Mohammed Mokhber is expected to take over a president.
ALSO:
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced on Monday five days of mourning for President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash.
“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” said Khamenei in an official statement a day after the death of Raisi and other officials in the crash in East Azerbaijan province.
