Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has approved First Vice President Mohammad Mokbel as interim head of the country’s executive branch following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.
Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian and other officials were pronounced dead on Monday after the helicopter they were traveling in crashed into a mountainous area in northwestern Iran, state television said.
the official was traveling East Azerbaijan province of Iran when the helicopter made what was described as a “hard landing” by Iranian media. The governor of East Azerbaijan, other officials and bodyguards were also on board, state news agency IRNA said.
Iranian president, foreign minister and other officials confirmed dead in helicopter crash
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed First Vice President Mohammad Mokbel as interim president on Monday, hours after President Ebrahim Raisi was pronounced dead in a helicopter crash. (Getty Images)
According to the supreme leader, Mokbel “has the duty to manage the executive branch and coordinate with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to elect a new president within a maximum of 50 days.”
Ayatollah Khamenei, who has the final say on all national affairs, also announced five days of public mourning following Raisi’s unexpected death.
“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear Iranian people,” he said in a statement carried by IRNA.
Iranian president experiences ‘hard landing’ on helicopter: Iranian media
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian (left) and President Ebrahim Raisi (right) attend a bilateral agreement signing ceremony at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana, Cuba, on June 15, 2023. (Yamil Raji/AFP)
Iran now has up to 50 days to hold presidential elections to choose Raisi’s successor.
Article 131 of Iran’s constitution stipulates that a council consisting of the first vice president, the speaker of parliament, and the attorney general must prepare for the election of a new president.
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Mokba became first vice president in 2021, when Raisi was elected president.
Reuters contributed to this report.
