Iranian state television has announced that President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian have died in a helicopter crash.
According to Guardian UK, the crash occurred in a mountainous region in East Azerbaijan province.
The crash occurred on Sunday under foggy conditions as the president returned from visiting Azerbaijan to open a dam, and no immediate cause for the crash was provided.
The British news platform reported that other Iranian outlets like Mehr and Tasnim and the Reuters news agency confirmed their deaths without specifying sources.
Among the victims are President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Governor of Eastern Azerbaijan Province Malek Rahmati, Imam Mohammad Ali Alehashem of Tabriz, the Pilot and Copilot, the crew chief and the Head of Security and Bodyguard.
President Raisi, previously a significant figure in Iran’s judiciary with a conservative reputation, led major policy efforts to bolster the nation’s economy and regional standing.
As per the constitution, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber is the designated successor.
Mokhber, involved in numerous government projects, is anticipated to take over presidential responsibilities.
Aviation authorities are investigating the cause of the crash and committing to a detailed analysis to uncover the reasons behind the incident.
