Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been reported dead following a helicopter crash. According to Fox News, the incident occurred on Sunday, and the cause of the crash remains unclear at this time.
President Raisi was returning with a government delegation after attending the inauguration of a dam on the border with Azerbaijan. So far, Iranian authorities have cited fog and bad weather as contributing factors that hindered rescue efforts.
Earlier today, state-affiliated media confirmed that the exact location of the helicopter had been located. However, there were no survivors among the nine individuals on board, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
A spokesperson for the Iranian government has previously spoke out on the helicopter incident and said this is being looked at as an “accident.”
“We are experiencing difficult and complicated conditions. It is the right of the people and the media to be aware of the latest news about the president’s helicopter accident, but according to the coordinates of the accident site and the weather conditions, there is ‘no’ new news until now. In these moments, patience, prayer and trust in relief groups are the way forward,” the government spokesperson said.
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In the wake of President Raisi’s untimely death, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed as the interim president. Additionally, Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani will assume the role of acting foreign minister, as announced by state media.
More On President Raisi:
Raisi was an Iranian politician and cleric who has served as the President of Iran since August 2021. He was previously the Chief Justice of Iran and the head of the country’s judiciary. Raisi has been involved in various political and judicial positions in Iran for many years.
Reactions:
The shocking news has been met with condolences from some of the countries that border Iran. Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani of Iraq, said, “deep sadness and great sorrow” at the deaths of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian. Meanwhile, Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said “we will stand by our neighbor Iran in these difficult and sad times.”
According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, President Joe Biden was briefed on the Iranian president’s helicopter incident.
We will continue to keep you updated as this story develops.