Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province on May 19, according to Iranian media. The helicopter, carrying President Raisi and his foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, disappeared over a mountainous region.
Iran’s state television reported that there were “no signs” of life among the helicopter’s passengers. The state TV reported, “Upon finding the helicopter, there was no sign of the passengers being alive.”
This incident took place amid a period of heightened regional tensions, particularly due to the Gaza conflict and Iran’s recent escalations with Israel. President Raisi, who has been in office since 2021, had pledged Iran’s unwavering support for Palestine, a stance he reiterated during a recent dam inauguration speech.
Iranian state media shared videos of Raisi on board the helicopter on Sunday. The footage shows him looking out of an aircraft window, with several senior officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, seated opposite him.
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May 20, 17:38PM- Putin Speaks To Iran’s Interim President
Russian President Vladimir Putin has communicated with Iran’s interim president Mohammad Mokhber, with both leaders emphasizing their “mutual intention to further strengthen Russian-Iranian cooperation.” Additionally, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that Russia will continue to enhance its relationship with Iran, affirming that previous agreements with Tehran will be upheld, according to the Russian news agency Tass.
May 20, 17:30PM-France Expresses Condolences To Iran Over Ebrahim Raisi’s Death
May 20, 16:35PM-Video of Rescue Teams Recovering Bodies Surface On Internet
Raisi’s leftovers are being pulled out by the rescue team.
Even though it was freezing up in the mountains, at least we now know he didn’t die from hypothermia, he was very well done barbecued. pic.twitter.com/gpzExKTfJO
— Nioh Berg ♛ ✡︎ אסתר (@NiohBerg) May 20, 2024
May 20, 16:20PM- Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Sends Condolences
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz conveyed his sympathies in a message to Mohammad Mokhber, the newly appointed acting President of Iran. The Saudi Press Agency quoted his statement saying, “As we send you and the brotherly people of the Islamic Republic of Iran our deepest and sincere condolences, let us ask God Almighty to cover them with His vast mercy and forgiveness, and to grant them peace. May his soul rest in peace. We belong to God and to Him we shall return.”
May 20, 15:20PM- Iran’s Top Nuclear Negotiator Ali Bagheri Appointed Foreign Minister
Ali Bagheri Kani appointed as Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister after Amirabdollahian’s death – irna https://t.co/aCuqmBIZR9
— Reuters Iran (@ReutersIran) May 20, 2024
May 20, 15:14PM- Lebanon Announces Three Days of Mourning
May 20, 15:02PM- Official State Funeral Announced
The deceased individuals are being transported to Tabriz, the destination towards which the president’s helicopter was headed before the crash. Upon arrival in Tabriz, there will be a formal examination of the bodies.
The inaugural state funeral is scheduled to occur in Tabriz tomorrow. Subsequently, the bodies are slated to be conveyed to Tehran, the nation’s capital, where both state officials and citizens will pay their respects.
Following this, the bodies are anticipated to be transported to Mashhad for two significant reasons: firstly, it was President Ebrahim Raisi’s hometown, where he was born and raised, and where his political journey commenced; and secondly, Mashhad holds paramount importance as Iran’s foremost religious center.
BREAKING: PEOPLE IN IRAN FLOOD THE STREET TO MOURN THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT RAISI AND HIS DELEGATION pic.twitter.com/OqUOt6o3gw
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) May 20, 2024
May 20, 14:40PM- Russian President Putin Extends Condolences, Dubs Raisi ‘True Friend of Russia’
May 20, 14:30PM- Lebanese Armed Group Hezbollah Mourns ‘Great Brother’ Raisi
May 20, 14:20PM- “Extraordinary Meeting” Held By 3 Branches Of Iran Government After President’s Death
Iran’s three branches of government holds an extraordinary meeting, with First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber representing the executive branch following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Mokhber in the same stated, “We will continue to follow President Raisi’s path in fulfilling our duties without any interruption.” For the unversed, the three branches referred to by state TV are the executive, legislative, and judiciary.
May 20, 14:01PM- Mohammed Mokhber, Vice President Of Iran To Take Over Duties As Interim President
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has appointed Vice President Mohammad Mokhber to assume interim duties following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash a day earlier.
In an official statement, Khamenei stated, “In accordance with Article 131 of the constitution, Mokhber is now responsible for leading the executive branch.” He added that Mokhber must collaborate with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to organize presidential elections “within a maximum period of 50 days.”
May 20, 13:58PM- Iran Announces 5 Days Of Mourning
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared five days of mourning for President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash. “I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” Khamenei stated in an official announcement following the death of Raisi and other officials in the East Azerbaijan province crash.
May 20, 8:40AM- Ebrahim Raisi, Helicopter Crash, No Sign Of Life Reported
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has potentially located the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which went missing over a mountainous region in East Azerbaijan province, according to a report.
