The Iranian government have confirmed that Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has died in a helicopter crash. It has also been confirmed that Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian along with seven others were also among the deceased.
Raisi’s death comes at a fraught moment in the Middle East, with war raging in Gaza. The helicopter crashed just weeks after Iran launched a drone-and-missile attack on Israel in response to a deadly strike on its diplomatic compound in Damascus.
The 63-year-old president, a figure representing conservative and hardline factions in Iranian politics, was president for nearly three years, and appeared set to run for re-election next year.
Raisi was a former chief justice, who was touted as a potential successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 85-year-old supreme leader of Iran.
Raisi made many speeches since the start of the war on Gaza in October to condemn “genocide” and “massacres” committed by Israel against Palestinians, and called on the international community to intervene.
He promised revenge against Israel after it leveled Tehran’s consulate building in Syria and killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including two generals.
Raisi welcomed Iran’s response of launching hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel, most of which were shot down by a coalition of Israeli allies. Iran still claimed an overall success.
After an emergency cabinet meeting following the death of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian, it was decided that Iranian vice president, Mohammad Mokhber will take over the responsibilities of the president.
Several countries have sent messages of condolences to Iran, with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announcing that the country will observe one day of mourning and its flag will fly at half mast following the president’s death.
The country is expected to hold elections in fifty days following the unforeseen death of its president.
Compiled by staff writer
Pictured above: The helicopter carrying Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi takes off, near the Iran-Azerbaijan border, 19 May 2024. The helicopter later crashed.
Image source: Ali Hamed/Irna/Wana/Reuters
