President Ibrahim Raisi and his companions died in a helicopter crash

The Iranian government announced today, Monday, that the Iranian President and his Foreign Minister were killed in a helicopter crash in the northeast of the country, yesterday evening, Sunday.

The Iranian President and Foreign Minister died in a helicopter crash Reuters also quoted an Iranian official as saying, "Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian were killed in the helicopter crash on Sunday."

Iranian media had announced a short while ago that “the killing of the president and his companions in the helicopter crash will be officially announced within minutes.”

East Azerbaijan's comment on the incident

The East Azerbaijan Army Commander confirmed on Monday morning that "some of the bodies of the helicopter passengers were burned and could not be identified."

The Commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps of East Azerbaijan said, "The Foreign Minister, the Governor of East Azerbaijan, and Khamenei's representative in this province are also present on board this helicopter."

Losing hope that there was a “sign of life” in the Iranian president’s helicopter Later, the Iranian Red Crescent announced the recovery of the bodies of the victims of the helicopter crash, including the body of President Ebrahim Raisi.

Earlier Monday, Iranian state television announced that there was “no sign” of life in the wreckage of the helicopter that was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials.

The television reported, "When the helicopter was found, there was no sign that the helicopter's passengers were alive."

An official had told Reuters news agency that all passengers were likely killed in the helicopter crash of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

He added: "The Iranian president's plane was completely burned in the crash."

Who is President Ibrahim Raisi? 63-year-old Ebrahim Raisi has been president of Iran since June 2021.

He is affiliated with the extremist movement, and he previously led the country's judiciary.

While he is seen as a disciple of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, some analysts have suggested that he could replace Khamenei after his death or resignation from office.

Who will assume the presidency after the death of Ibrahim Raisi? The Iranian news agency "IRNA" announced that the government council is "meeting now" after the killing of Ibrahim Raisi and his companions, adding that the date and location of the farewell ceremony for the president and his companions will be announced.

The Iranian Guardian Council said, "A council will be formed from the Speaker of the Shura Council, the Head of the Judiciary, and others to supervise the organization of the elections."

He added, "According to the constitution, and after the Supreme Leader's approval, the First Vice President will assume the powers of the president."

The first candidate to succeed him, Mohammad Mokhber, is expected to assume the presidency of Iran.

Informant, as interim president and member of a three-person council with the Speaker of Parliament and the Head of the Judiciary, will arrange for new presidential elections to be held within 50 days of the president's death.