Iran,
Monday, 20 May, 2024
McCreadie Andias
Iran’s President Raisi has been confirmed dead after a helicopter carrying him and other officials crashed in a mountainous and forested Northwest Iran area of the country in poor weather.
Also killed in the crash was Iranian Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, an experienced diplomat who helped secure the recent rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Head of presidential guard Mehdi Mousavi
The helicopter’s pilot, co-pilot and crew
Raisi and his companions were returning from an event with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev when the crash happened
He was traveling in a Bell 212 helicopter powered by a single engine, accompanied by other officials, including the foreign minister who alsp perished.
According to the Iranian Constitution, in case of the president’s death or incapacity, the first Vice President,Mohammad Mokhber, will take over until an election is held within a maximum period of 50 days.
Tributes and condolences are pouring in from regional and international leaders.
Several countries in the Middle East have expressed support to Iran and offered help to locate the helicopter, which was missing for hours after the crash.
India’s Narendra Modi says he is shocked by ‘tragic’ death of Raisi. The Indian prime minister said he was “deeply saddened” by Raisi’s death, adding that the late Iranian president contributed “to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship”.
“My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” Modi wrote in a social media.
Rais Won 62.9% of the vote in August 2021 presidential election sparking question fairness of vote by critics .
He was Considered a hardliner and ally of Supreme Leader of Ali Khamenei and also a seen as a possible successor of Khamenei as Supreme Leader.
Many say that Raisi’s death is unlikely to change the relationship between Hezbollah and Iran. No doubt this is a loss for the establishment in Iran. But Raisi was not the main decision-maker in the country, and the relationship really between Hezbollah and Iran goes through the powerful Revolutionary Guard.