President Ebrahim Raisi, known as the Butcher of Tehran, died in a helicopter crash due to poor weather in the mountains near the Azerbaijan border, state media reports.
From NEWSMAX:
The charred wreckage of the helicopter that crashed Sunday carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six other passengers and crew was found early Monday after an overnight search in blizzard conditions.
Supreme Leader Khamenei, who holds ultimate power with a final say on foreign policy and Iran’s nuclear program, said First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber would take over as interim president, the official IRNA news agency reported.
“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” Khamenei said in a statement. Mokhber, like Raisi, is seen as close to Khamenei.
Under the Islamic Republic’s constitution, a new presidential election must be held within 50 days.
This story is developing…
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed after his helicopter crashed in poor weather in the mountains near the Azerbaijan border, officials and state media said Monday. MORE: https://t.co/oFFuZe7RAw pic.twitter.com/q2MrxJtbvV
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) May 20, 2024