Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

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Iranian President Raisi and Foreign Minister Abdollahian Martyred in Plane Crash, Replaced by Mokhber and Kani

May 20, 2024

Ebrahim Raisi, the eighth president of Iran, has been martyred after a helicopter carrying him and his entourage crashed in Varzaqan region in East Azarbaijan Province, northwest of the country, May 19, 2024	Iran’s Ambassador to Qatar, Ali Salehabadi has met with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian during a return trip to Tehran, May 19, 2024
Iranian Vice-President, Mohammad Mokhber, has become the acting President until the election of a new president within 50 days, May 20, 2024	Iran's government cabinet has appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani as the head of the international committee of Iran's Foreign Ministry, May 20, 2024

Martyred while serving nation: President Raisi dies in helicopter crash

May 20, 2024

Tehran, IRNA –

Ebrahim Raisi, the eighth president of Iran, has been martyred after a helicopter carrying him and his entourage crashed in Varzaqan region in East Azarbaijan Province, northwest of the country.  

Raisi’s helicopter, along with two more copters, was en route to Tabriz City on Sunday after he inaugurated Qiz Qalasi Dam at the border with the Azerbaijan Republic earlier in the day.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azarbaijan Province’s Governor Malek Rahmati, and Mehdi Mousavi, the head of Raisi’s bodyguard team were on board the crashed aircraft as well. Mohammad Ali Al-e-Hashem, the Supreme Leader’s representative in the province also accompanied them.

Local officials present at the crash site have confirmed the martyrdom of Raisi and his accompanying team.

Ebrahim Raisi, 63, was born in the holy city of Mashhad. He was elected president in 2021. Before that, he served as the judiciary chief, the general prosecutor and the vice-chairman of the Assembly of Experts. Raisi was also a member of the Expediency Council.

In September 2023, on the occasion of Government Week in Iran, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei praised the Raisi administration’s performance in various sectors including economy and foreign policy. 

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Iran's Supreme Leader appoints VP Mokhber as head of Executive

May 20, 2024

Tehran, IRNA –

Supreme Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has appointed Vice-president Mohammad Mokhber as head of the Executive.

The Supreme Leader announced the appointment on Monday, a day after President Ebrahim Raisi and his accompanying team were martyred in a helicopter crash in the northwestern province of East Azerbaijan.

Ayatollah Khamenei issued a message of condolence, in which he said that Mokhber will take over the Executive based on Article 131 of the Iranian Constitution. He also tasked Mokhber and head of the two other branches of the Iranian government, namely the judiciary chief and parliament speaker, to prepare for elections to choose a new president within 50 days at most.

No disruption in administration of country

In an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday, Mokhber called on members of the cabinet to continue working as confidently and strongly as before to serve the people. 

He said that the country’s system is well-established and strong, and there will be not be the smallest problem in administration of the country.

The cabinet, at its emergency session, decided to set up a committee tasked with holding funeral processions for the late president and his entourage. The committee is headed by Raisi’s deputy for executive affairs Mohsen Mansouri.

The cabinet also decided to choose a caretaker foreign minister and a governor for East Azerbaijan province as soon as possible.

President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azerbaijan’s governor and six more people were on board a helicopter when it crashed in Varzaqan region of the province on Sunday.

Their aircraft and two other copters were en route to Tabriz City hours after Raisi, along with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev, inaugurated the joint Qiz Qalasi Dam at the border between the two countries earlier on Sunday.

Elected in 2021, Raisi served as the eighth president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

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Bagheri Kani appointed as head of int'l committee of Iran's Foreign Ministry

May 20, 2024

Tehran, IRNA –

Iran's government cabinet has appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani as the head of the international committee of Iran's Foreign Ministry, following the martyrdom of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a helicopter crash.

Iran's Government Spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi made the announcement on Monday.

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Guardian Council spokesman Hadi Tahan-Nazif had said that according to the Constitution, the vice president would take over as interim president with the Supreme Leader’s approval.

In an interview on Monday, Tahan-Nazif said that with the Supreme Leader’s approval, a council consisting of the Iranian judiciary chief, parliament speaker, and vice president would take measures to hold presidential elections within 50 days.

On Sunday, President Raisi was returning from a ceremony to open the Qiz Qalasi Dam, jointly built with the Republic of Azerbaijan, to Tabriz to inaugurate another project when his helicopter crashed in the Dizamar forest area in Varzaqan region between the village of Ouzi and Pir Davoud.

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Martyred president and FM played influential role in Iran foreign policy'

May 20, 2024

Tehran, IRNA –

The Iranian Foreign Ministry says President Ebrahim Raisi and Top Diplomat Hossein Amirabdollahian played a lasting and influential role in the history of Iran’s foreign policy.

The ministry issued a statement on Monday, a day after Raisi and Amirabdollahian along with seven more people were martyred after their helicopter crashed in northwest Iran. It extended condolences to the Iranian people and the families of the martyrs.

The statement hailed the late president and his foreign minister for their efforts to promote Iran’s international status, forge friendship among regional countries, and help establish justice across the West Asia region and beyond.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry pledged to continue those efforts to protect national interests and help the Islamic Republic’s fulfillment of its constructive role in regional and international equations.

The ministry also expressed its sincere gratitude towards world leaders as well as political and religious figures across the globe for their sympathy with the Iranian nation and government.

The helicopter carrying President Raisi and his entourage crashed in Varzaqan region of East Azerbaijan province on Sunday. Their aircraft and two other copters were en route to Tabriz City hours after Raisi, along with his counterpart from Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, inaugurated the jointly-built Qiz Qalasi Dam at the border between the two countries earlier that day.  

Elected in 2021, Raisi served as the eighth president of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

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Regional leaders offer condolences over martyrdom of Iran's president, FM

May 2024

Tehran, IRNA –

Regional leaders have issues messages of condolence to Iran due to martyrdom of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

The Popular Resistance Committees, a coalition of Palestinian resistance groups, have honored the memory of the martyrs President  Raisi and Foreign Minister  Amirabdollahian.

According to the Iraqi Al-Nujaba TV, the Popular Resistance Committees issued a statement on Monday, announcing, "With deep sorrow and grief, we honor the memory of Ayatollah Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Hossein Amirabdollahian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, and their accompanying delegation, who were martyred in the painful incident of the helicopter crash."

The committees also emphasized that Palestine and its people and resistance would never forget the services that martyrs Ayatollah Raisi and Amirabdollahian rendered for the Palestinian nation and cause.

On Sunday, President Raisi was returning from a ceremony to open the Qiz Qalasi Dam on Iran’s border with Azerbaijan en route to the inauguration of the "Tabriz Refinery Upgrade Project" in the Dizamar forest area between the village of Ouzi and Pir Davoud when his helicopter crashed in Varzaqan region. Ayatollah Al-Hashemi, the representative of the Supreme Leader; and Malek Rahmati, the Governor of East Azerbaijan, were among the other passengers of the helicopter who lost their lives in this incident.

Prime Minister of Iraq Muhammad Shia’ Al-Sudani conveyed his condolences over the martyrdom of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and their accompanying entourage to the Supreme Leader, the government, and the people of Iran.

Leader of the Iraqi National Wisdom Movement Ammar al-Hakim expressed his condolences in a message over the martyrdom of the Iranian president and his companions in the helicopter crash incident.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas expressed its condolences over the martyrdom of President Raisi and his accompanying delegation to the Supreme Leader, the government, and the people of Iran.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Sadiq, along with various Pakistani people, expressed sorrow and regret over the martyrdom of President Raisi and his companions in the helicopter incident, saying that the government and people of Pakistan are sharing the grief of the Iranian nation.

The Government of National Salvation of Yemen and its officials have in separate messages expressed their condolences over the martyrdom of President Raisi, FM Amirabdollahian, and their accompanying delegation, to the Supreme Leader, the government, and the people of Iran.

In a statement, Acting Third Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs of the interim government in Afghanistan Abdul Kabir expressed condolences over the martyrdom of the Iranian president and his companions in the helicopter incident.

Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim published a message of condolence on his social media account and released a photo of himself and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly last November, expressing that Raisi was a model of deep commitment to the welfare and dignity of people.

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in a message, expressed his condolences over the martyrdom of President Raisi, and his accompanying delegation, expressing solidarity with the officials and people of Iran.

Secretary-General of the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi expressed condolences over the martyrdom of the Iranian president, the foreign minister and their entourages, stating that the Council expresses solidarity with the government and people of Iran in this difficult situation.

Expressing condolences over the martyrdom of President Raisi and his accompanying delegation, President of Syria Bashar al-Assad stated that the sincerity of the president of Iran in his work and his sense of responsibility led him to attain the lofty rank of martyrdom, and he was martyred in the path of fulfilling his duty and serving [the people].

King of Jordan Abdullah II expressed condolences over the martyrdom of the Iranian president and the foreign minister, and stressed that his country expresses solidarity with Iran in these difficult circumstances.

In a message, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani expressed condolences over the martyrdom of President Raisi, FM Amirabdollahian, and their accompanying delegation.

The United Arab Emirates’ government also expressed condolences over the martyrdom of the top Iranian officials to the government and people of Iran.

Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi, during an official visit to Kazakhstan on May 20, expressed condolences to the government and people of Iran over the demise of President Raisi, and his counterpart Amirabdollahian.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in a message, conveyed his condolences to Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei over the martyrdom of President Raisi and his companions.

Voicing condolences on the demise of his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister of Lebanon Abdallah Rashid Bou Habib told Al Mayadeen TV network, "We have lost a respected friend and a distinguished personality in foreign policy."

In a message, President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid expressed his condolences to the leadership and people of Iran over the martyrdom of President Raisi, and his entourages in the helicopter crash incident.

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon expressed condolences over the demise of President Raisi and his companions, expressing sympathy with the people and government of Iran.

President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas expressed his sincere condolences to the government and people of Iran over the demise of President Raisi, and FM Amir-Abdollahian as well as their companions.

President of the Philippines Bongbong Marcos expressed condolences over the demise of his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, in the helicopter incident near Tabriz. 

Leader of Yemen's Ansarullah movement Abdul-Malik Badruldeen al-Houthi, in a message, expressed condolences over the demise of President Raisi and his accompanying delegation.

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World reacts to Iran president’s helicopter crash

May 20, 2024

Tehran, IRNA –

World leaders have reacted to the news of the Iranian president’s helicopter crash in northwest of the country, with all expressing concern and solidarity with the Iranian people and government.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyef, who along with Raisi inaugurated the joint Qiz Qalasi Dam at the border between the two countries earlier on Sunday, expressed concern over the incident and announced Baku’s readiness to help Iran.

The Armenian foreign ministry expressed shock in a post on its X account. “Our thoughts and prayers are with President Raisi and Minister Amirabdollahian and all others reported to be at the site. As rescue operations continue, Armenia, as a close and friendly neighbor of Iran, is ready to provide all necessary support.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed sympathy and said that he is following developments regarding the incident. Turkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority also announced that they had dispatched a team to Iran to help in the search and rescue operation for Raisi and his entourage.  

In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Parliament Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq issued separate messages, expressing deep concern over the incident involving President Raisi and his entourage. They prayed for Raisi and expressed solidarity with the Iranian nation at these difficult times.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a message on X social media platform, expressing deep concern, saying “we stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage.”

Afghanistan reacted as well. The foreign ministry of the ruling Taliban government said on its Telegram page that it is following reports regarding the Iranian president and his accompanying team, expressing hope that they are found as soon as possible.

Iraq’s President Abdul Latif Rashid expressed concern and said that he had discussed the incident with Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad. He also held a telephone conversation with Iran's Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber and wished President Raisi and his accompanying delegation well on behalf of the Iraqi government and people.

Separately, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani also ordered Iraq’s interior ministry and Red Crescent Society as well as other related bodies to provide Iran with required services to help it find the missing helicopter of President Raisi.

The Iraqi Red Crescent announced that it has prepared 10 search and rescue teams and is ready to send them by air to help search for the helicopter carrying the president of Iran.

Top officials in Iraq’s Kurdistan region reacted as well. President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani issued separate messages, expressing solidarity with the Iranian people and praying for the well-being of everyone on board the aircraft.  

Saudi Arabia expressed grave concern as well, and announced its readiness to help Iran.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, expressed concern about the accident of the Iranian president's helicopter and emphasized Cairo’s solidarity with Tehran.

“The government of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern what was circulated in the media regarding the helicopter carrying Iran’s President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi and an accompanying delegation…We reaffirm that Saudi Arabia stands by the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran in these difficult circumstances,” the Foreign Ministry said, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

In a statement, Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs wished health to Iranian President Raisi and his companions.  The ministry also expressed sympathy with the government and people of Iran over this tragedy.

The Foreign Ministry of the United Arab Emirates announced, in a statement, that it is following with great concern the news about the crash of a copter carrying the Iranian president and his delegation. The ministry expressed Abu Dhabi’s full readiness to provide any support to Tehran in the search and rescue operations.

Oman, in a statement, published by the country’s official news agency, expressed deep concern over the accident of the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and said it is ready to offer any help Tehran requires.

Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Yemen, Russia and Venezuela all expressed their concern as well, and said that they stand by the Iranian nation. The countries also expressed their readiness to provide support to the Islamic Republic.

The United States and the European Union said that they are monitoring the situation and following reports about the air incident involving the Iranian president as well as foreign minister and other members of their team.

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a message: "I am following the news related to the helicopter of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation through the crisis unit and embassy in Tehran."

Tajani added that he has also kept Prime Minister Georgia Maloney updated on the developments related to the hard landing of the helicopter carrying the Iranian President and Foreign Minister and their accompanying delegation.

European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič also said that the bloc is activating its rapid response service in response to a request by Iran.

“Upon Iranian request for assistance we are activating the EU’s Copernicus EMS rapid response mapping service in view of to the helicopter accident reportedly carrying the President of Iran and its foreign minister”, Lenarčič said on X, using #EUSolidarity at the end of his post.

Palestinian reaction

Palestinian resistance movements, Islamic Jihad and Hamas, issued separate statements, expressing concern over news of the Iranian president’s copter crash. Hamas expressed solidarity with the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution as well as the Iranian people and government, saying that it is following developments regarding the incident with concern.

The Islamic Jihad also express solidarity with the Iranian nation and said the resistance movement for the safety of the Iranian president and his companions. 

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a message that this movement is following the news of the crash of helicopter of the Iranian president with great concern.

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Pres. Raisi’s crashed chopper found: Iran Red Crescent

May 20, 2024

Tehran, IRNA –

The president of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has confirmed that rescue and search teams have identified President Ebrahim Raisi’s crashed chopper.

According to IRNA, Pir-Hossein Kolivand made the announcement on Monday morning, saying the teams have arrived at the wreckage of the crashed copter.

He did not give further detail but said “the condition is not good”.

"73 rescue teams are present in the search area of the helicopter in Tawal village with advanced and specialized equipment", he added.

Earlier, the Red Crescent’s National Emergency Management Headquarters announced that its rescue teams have moved to the 2 identified hot spots identified by a Turkish drone.

“Red Crescent rescue teams are moving towards the possible landing place of the helicopter”, it said after Turkey's high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle named Akinji detected a hot spot that probably belongs to the place where the helicopter crashed.

A commander of Iran’s Revolution Guards Corps confirmed the detection of the heat source was believed to be the wreckage of the helicopter.

An announcement was also made by field source that the precise geographical coordinates of the helicopter carrying President Raisi were determined by the aerial monitoring of the region.

Despite the adverse weather conditions, rescuers tried round the clock to find the site of a missing helicopter that was carrying the Iranian President and his delegation in northwestern part of the country.

Rescue teams, including armed forces, combed the rocky area and the hilly terrain near the city of Varzaqan in East Azarbaijan province despite foggy and rainy weather.

Earlier, Iran’s Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said it had dispatched more groups to help locate the crash. "46 rapid response and rescue teams from the provinces of East Azarbaijan, Tehran, Alborz, Ardabil, Zanjan and West Azarbaijan were mobilized to help in the search and rescue operation".

President Raisi was returning with Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and several others from a ceremony to inaugurate a dam on Iran’s border with the Azerbaijan Republic, when his helicopter crashed upon landing in Varzaqan region on Sunday.

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