Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has died in a helicopter crash in the East Azerbaijan province, along with eight others, including Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
The helicopter was returning from the inauguration of a dam on the border with Azerbaijan when it went down, reportedly due to bad weather and fog. The crash occurred on Sunday, 19 May, 2024.
President Raisi, 63, had been in office since August 2021 and was known for his conservative stance and close ties to the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume power temporarily, pending approval from Ayatollah Khamenei, and a presidential election must be called within 50 days, according to Iran’s constitution.
The crash has sent shockwaves throughout the country, with many Iranians taking to social media to express their condolences and pay tribute to the late president.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway, but officials have indicated that weather conditions were a likely factor.
This tragic event marks a significant turning point in Iranian politics, and the country’s future direction remains uncertain.
