Iran Sets Presidential Election Date in June

Iran International has ended this edition of the live blog following the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian and other high-level officials on Sunday.

The helicopter was flying in foggy conditions in the country's northwest by the border with Azerbaijan.

In the wake of Raisi's death, VP Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed as acting president. Ali Bagheri Kani, who led Iranian delegations though indirect negotiations with the US over nuclear issues, has been appointed acting foreign minister.

Stay updated with our latest news by visiting our website.

Asked about reports of Iranian people celebrating the death of President Raisi, US State Department spokesperson said Monday, "I can certainly understand why people inside Iran would feel that way."

"When you look at the brutal repression that happened under President Raisi's tenure, especially when you look at his abuse of women and girls, I can see why the people in Iran would feel that way in response to his death, but I obviously can't speak for them," Matthew Miller told reporters in a press briefing.

The Biden administration was "asked for assistance by the Iranian government" amid Tehran's efforts to find the wreckage of President Ebrahim Raisi's doomed chopper, the US State Department spokesman told reporters.

"We did make clear to them that we would offer assistance, as we'd do in response to any request by a foreign gov't in this sort of situation, but ultimately, we were not able to provide the assistance largely for logistical reasons," Matthew Miller told reporters.

Iran's government says the funeral for President Ebrahim Raisi and other victims of the chopper crash will be held in Tehran on Wednesday.

All government offices and private businesses in the country will be closed on Wednesday to coincide with funerals for crash victims.

The victims' bodies are currently in the city of Tabriz, where a funeral will be held on Tuesday.

They will later be transferred to the city of Qom for another funeral on Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday, the main funeral will be held in Tehran, where Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will say the prayers for the dead.

Then Raisi's body will be transferred to northeastern city of Birjand - which he represented in the Assembly of Experts - for another funeral on Thursday morning.

Finally, his body will be transferred to Mashhad where he will be buried after a final funeral on Thursday afternoon.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters during a briefing on Tuesday that "Regrading the death of the Iranian president in the very unfortunate helicopter crash, we continue to monitor the situation but we don't have any insights into the cause of the accident." Asked again if the incident was anything other than an accident, Austin refused to speculate, saying everyone should wait to see if Iran's investigation would turn up anything.

Austin added that the Pentagon does not see any broader impact and security implications emanating from the incident.

The Iranian government's newspaper says the presidential election calendar has been approved in a meeting chaired by interim president Mohammad Mokhber. Raisi who was on Sunday in a helicopter crash was elected president in June 2021.

The election day is set for June 28. Candidate registration will be from May 30 to June 3 with campaigning from June 12 to 27.

Iran’s exiled prince Reza Pahlavi has issued a statement about Raisi following his death, underlining that he was “one of the cruelest and most notorious leaders of the Islamic Republic regime.”

The leading Iranian opposition figure said on X that Raisi “was involved in the business of death, execution, and crime, with his hands soaked in the blood of thousands of Iranians.”

He pointed out that it is no surprise that the families of Raisi's victims are rejoicing at his death today.

“In memory of each and every victim of Ebrahim Raisi, we double our efforts for the freedom and reclaiming of our homeland, knowing that the world will be a better place without the Islamic Republic and its criminal leaders.”

The US expressed its "official condolences" Monday for the death of Iran's President Raisi a

nd other officials in a helicopter crash. "As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms," the State Department spokesman said in a statement.

Ebrahim Raisi will be honored with funeral processions in Tabriz, Qom, Tehran, Birjand, and Mashhad, according to Mohsen Mansouri, the executive deputy of the administration.

The ceremonies will culminate with a burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad on the evening of Friday, May 24th. The schedule includes several processions across the cities.

Several former and incumbent US officials have highlighted Raisi’s track record of human rights abuses, claiming that the world is a better place without him.

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) described Raisi as a “tyrant and terrorist,” asserting that Raisi was neither loved nor respected. He expressed hope that his passing will give the Iranian people a chance to reclaim their country from oppressive rulers.

Former US ambassador at the UN Nikki Haley said, “The people of Iran and the world are better off without his and the foreign minister’s barbarism.”

Gabriel Noronha, a former State Department advisor on Iran, reacted to NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah’s message of condolences, pointing out that many NATO soldiers and contractors were killed and maimed in Iraq by Raisi and his “friends.”

Highlighting President Raisi’s regime's record of murdering thousands domestically and targeting individuals in Britain and across Europe, British MP Tom Tugendhat said, “I will not mourn Raisi.”

The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces has appointed a high-level committee to investigate the reasons behind the helicopter crash that resulted in the death of President Ebrahim Raisi. Mohammad Bagheri has tasked Ali Abdollahi, the Deputy Coordinator of the Armed Forces General Staff, to lead the investigation into the incident.

So far, no official explanation has been provided regarding the cause of the crash, whether it was due to technical failure, weather conditions, or human error. Despite the uncertainties, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, citing American intelligence assessments, stated that there is no evidence of sabotage, though investigations are ongoing.

The head of Iran Human Rights Organization (IHRNGO) said that Raisi’s death does not signify the end of accountability for his crimes. In a statement, the Norway-based organization expressed hope that Raisi’s record, along with those of other officials responsible for crimes against humanity, will be addressed in a competent court. The statement highlighted Raisi's role in the execution of political prisoners and his tenure as a symbol of judicial impunity in Iran.

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, faced widespread criticism from several European Parliament members for his condolence message following the death of Raisi. Earlier in the day, EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also offered condolences over Raisi's death, stirring same reactions by several MEPs.

Representatives have voiced their objections using the hashtag "#NotInMyName."

The United Nations Security Council held a moment of silence to honor the victims of the Iranian helicopter crash, which included President Ebrahim Raisi and other high-ranking officials. The council expressed its condolences and solidarity with the people of Iran during this tragic time.

The helicopter that crashed while carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday did not have its signal system turned on or did not possess such a system, Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said on Monday.

Iranian authorities keep insisting that the wreckage of the helicopter was not found by a Turkish high-altitude, long-endurance drone, which was dispatched to help the rescue process. However, Turkish outlets claim the drone played a central role in finding the wreckage of the helicopter.

Uraloglu told reporters that since Iran fell within Turkey's area of responsibility for emergency response, authorities had checked for a signal from the helicopter after hearing it had crashed.

"But unfortunately, (we think) most likely the signal system was turned off or that the helicopter did not have that signal system," he said.

Videos obtained by Iran International show Iranians living in the Netherlands dancing and celebrating the death of President Ebrahim Raisi outside the Iranian Embassy in The Hague. The footage captures jubilant scenes as expatriates express their reactions to the news.

Videos of Iranian people distributing candies and pastries in celebration of the president’s death are circulating on social media. Iran’s cyber police issued a statement earlier on Monday, warning people against such posts on social media.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Iran's interim president Mohammad Mokhber on Monday and both stressed their "mutual intention to further strengthen Russian-Iranian interaction", the Kremlin said.

In a controversial move, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday offered his condolences over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other Iranian officials in a helicopter crash.

Lebanon and Syria on Monday announced three days of national mourning for the Iranian president and foreign minister, who were killed in a helicopter crash overnight near the Azerbaijan border.

Iran enjoys sway in both countries, backing the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon and supporting Syria's government and security forces stay in power throughout more than a decade of war.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am about this incident that happened. Especially that the foreign minister had become a friend," Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib told reporters on Monday.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, as well as other Lebanese officials and Hezbollah, offered their condolences for the deaths.

The head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency has paid tribute to the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, lauding his efforts and contributions to Iran's nuclear program.

The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas mourned on Monday the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who it said had supported the Palestinian people during the current war with Israel.

The Iranian cabinet has appointed Ali Bagheri Kani as the acting Foreign Minister. Bagheri Kani has served as the Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs and the head of Tehran’s negotiating team to revive the 2015 nuclear deal in Vienna.

In an announcement on Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed first vice-president Mohammad Mokhber as the head of the executive branch for 50 days, according to the Constitution. Mokhber is tasked to run the country's affairs in coordination with the Speaker of Parliament and the head of the Judiciary until new presidential elections take place.

Khamenei had the prerogative to make a different decision, such as appointing a different person for a longer period of time, but he has opted to act according to the Islamic Republic's Constitution.

World leaders have extended their condolences following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, China's President Xi Jinping, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and Syrian President Bashar Assad were among the first to send messages.

Putin praised the late Iranian President for his invaluable contribution to strengthening Russia-Iran relations.

Describing Raisi as a "valuable colleague and brother," Erdogan said on social media platform X, "As a colleague who personally witnessed his efforts for the peace of the Iranian people and our region during his time in power, I remember Mr. Raisi with respect and gratitude."

Former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the US is partly responsible for the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and his delegation. In a television interview, Zarif criticized US sanctions, claiming they prevent Iranians from accessing quality aviation equipment.

The head of Iran’s Cyber Police said that online activities are being closely monitored and warned social media users to refrain from posting content that could “provoke or disturb public emotions.”

The head of the Red Crescent, Pir-Hossein Kolivand, said that the bodies of President Ebrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation are being transported, with the search operation now concluded. Kolivand confirmed that the bodies are en route to Tabriz.

According to Article 131 of Iran's constitution, the First Vice President, now Mohammad Mokhber, assumes the role of acting president immediately upon the death of the incumbent. With the approval of the Supreme Leader, Mokhber shall assume the powers and functions of the President.

Additionally, a Council, consisting of the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, head of the judicial power, and the first deputy of the President, is obliged to arrange for a new President to be elected within a maximum period of fifty days.

In case of death of the first deputy to the President, or other matters which prevent him to perform his duties, or when the President does not have a first deputy, the Leader shall appoint another person in his place.

Following the confirmation of the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation, officials of the Islamic Republic are expressing condolences. Meanwhile, dissident figures and numerous social media users are cheering the incident.

Following the official announcement of death of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian cabinet has convened an emergency meeting.

The IRGC's Ashura Division Commander says some of the dead bodies are burnt and cannot be identified.

President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Tabriz Friday Prayers imam Ayatollah Al-e Hashem, East Azarbaijan governor general Malek Rahmati, Raisi's bodyguard and the pilot have all been killed in the chopper crash in northwestern Iran, the state TV announced.

After speaking with intelligence authorities, US Senate Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer said there is no evidence of “foul play” involving the helicopter crash with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, NBC News reported.

So far, "no sign of life" has been detected at the crash site, Iran's Red Crescent chief Kolivand told the state TV said, as rescue units arrive at the crash site.

The Iranian president's chopper was completely burned in the crash, an official told Reuters.

The wreckage of the chopper has been finally found, Iran’s Red Crescent chief said.
Pir-Hossein Kolivand told the state TV that rescue units are moving toward the wreckage which is two kilometers away.

This is apparently the first photo of the crash site, according to IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News.

It is expected that rescue forces will soon reach the location shared by the Turkish drone, Iran’s state TV reported. The location is three kilometers north of a village called Tavil, according to IRGC-affiliated media.

The Turkish drone Akıncı has identified the source of heat suspected to be wreckage of helicopter carrying Raisi and shared its coordinates with Iranian authorities, Anadolu news agency reported.

Pir Hossein Kolivand, the head of Iran’s Red Crescent, said the organization is dispatching forces to a location where rescue workers have reported detecting the smell of fuel.

"By Putin's order, within the next hour, two advanced Russian aircraft with special helicopters and 50 professional mountain rescue personnel will be dispatched to Tabriz," the special assistant to the Russian President told Iran's vice-president in a phone call, according to Iranian media reports.

The Italian foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said on Sunday, I have been following since the afternoon - together with PM Giorgia Meloni whom I have kept updated - the developments of the helicopter accident with Iranian President and Foreign Minister on board."

"We are monitoring the situation together with Crisis Unit and the Embassy in Tehran," he added.

"We're searching the area inch by inch, but the weather is very cold, foggy, and rainy. The rainfall is gradually turning into snowfall," said the commander of the Iranian Army's northwestern headquarters regarding efforts to find President Raisi's chopper.

Iran International is obtaining videos showing Iranian people celebrating the news of Raisi's chopper crash.

Reaction is pouring in from around the world, after reports of a helicopter carrying Raisi crashing near Iran’s border with Azerbaijan.

With Raisi’s fate unknown, world leaders, opponents of the Islamic Republic as well as its apologists are rampant with posts on social media.

Read More

Upon Iran's request, Turkey has sent an Akıncı drone and a night vision Cougar-type helicopter to participate in the search and rescue efforts aimed at finding the doomed helicopter of President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage, @tcsavunma announced.

Turkey’s Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) also said in a statement, "Iran requested a night vision search and rescue helicopter from our country. Thirty-two mountaineer search and rescue personnel and six vehicles from our Van and Erzurum AFAD provincial directorates have set out to arrive at the region," it added.

"Additionally, our mountaineer search and rescue personnel, consisting of 15 people each from Ankara, Diyarbakir, and Konya, are on alert. We are following the developments," concluded AFAD.

The IRGC Chief Commander, Hossein Salami, and a number of other military commanders are in the area where the chopper has crashed and are holding an emergency Crisis Management meeting with local authorities, state-run media reported.

The possible location of the helicopter incident has been identified after hours of searching, the Red Crescent Society announced, according to the semi-official ISNA news agency.

"Minutes ago, signals were received from the chopper and the cell phone of one of its crew members, and all our forces are now on our way to the location," said the IRGC commander of East Azarbaijan province.

Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted their concerns for Raisi and other Iranian officials on that flight and reaffirmed their commitment as a close ally of Iran.

Iran's Police Intelligence Organization announced that "all pages of those active on social media are under police surveillance, and individuals who publish rumors or attempt to disturb public opinion will be dealt with according to the law."

Additionally, the Tehran Prosecutor's Office issued a notice to media personnel stating, "In the past few hours, some media figures have published false news regarding the helicopter accident involving the president. As a result, the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office has issued warnings to several individuals for disturbing public opinion."

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday he was saddened by the accident involving the helicopter of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, and that Turkey was in full contact with the Iranian authorities, ready to provide any necessary support.

"I convey my best wishes to our neighbor, friend and brother Iranian people and government, and I hope to receive good news from Mr. Raisi and his delegation as soon as possible," Erdogan said in a post on social media platform X.

Turkish Foreign Ministry also said in a Sunday statement, "We are following the developments regarding the helicopter crash in Iran today with sadness. We hope that Iranian officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, are safe and healthy."

The ministry also affirmed Ankara’s commitment to providing support for search and rescue operations.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over President Raisi's helicopter accident, stating, "We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress and pray for the well-being of the President and his entourage."

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, "The Saudi government is following with great concern media reports about the helicopter carrying the Iranian President and his accompanying delegation. We express our support for the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran in these difficult circumstances and our readiness to provide any assistance needed."

The European Emergency Response Coordinator Janez Lenarcic says "upon Iranian request for assistance we are activating Europe's Copernicus EMS rapid response satellite mapping service in view of the helicopter accident reportedly carrying the President of Iran and its foreign minister."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Sunday night expressed regret over the "concerning" incident involving Raisi and his entourage, saying, "We're hopeful God will return the president and his accompanying delegation to the nation." He called on the entire nation to pray for him and gave an assurance that "there will be no disruption in the country's operations."

US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the reports of the crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president, according to the White House.

The Iraqi Prime Minister says the country's capabilities are available to help Iran's efforts to locate the Iranian President’s helicopter, Al-Arabiya reported.

Iran's semi-official ISNA has dismissed media reports that the Supreme National Security Council has held an emergency meeting on the incident that happened to President Raisi's helicopter, quoting an informed source as saying that the rumors are false.

The official Instagram page of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has called on Iranian people to pray for him and his entourage.

"The lives of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian are at risk following the helicopter crash. We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning," an Iranian official told Reuters.

The US is "closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister," a State Department spokesperson told CBS News. "We have no further comment at this time."

The spokesperson for the emergency services announced that eight ambulances have been dispatched from Tabriz to the accident site.

He said, "An air ambulance helicopter was sent to the area, but unfortunately, due to heavy fog, continuing the aerial operation was not possible."

The spokesperson added, "Given the distance from the probable accident site to the road, three-member emergency teams from Tabriz, equipped for search and providing emergency medical services, are on the scene."

IRNA, the Islamic Republic's state news agency, reported that rescue teams have reached the accident site and have begun searching for Raisi and his companions.

IRNA added, "Sixteen rescue and drone teams have been dispatched to the area, but due to the rugged terrain, mountainous and forested conditions, and adverse weather conditions, especially heavy fog, the search and rescue operation will take time."

Iranian media report that a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi encountered an accident in East Azerbaijan Province and some of his companions in the helicopter "managed to make contact with the center."

Meanwhile, IRIB News Agency wrote, "Rescue teams are continuing their efforts to reach the crash site."

Ali Zakari, Deputy Governor for Development in East Azerbaijan, told the "Sharq Network" website, "I have not yet arrived at the accident site and do not have details about the incident."

Zakari stated that the accident occurred near Varzeqan and continued, "There were three helicopters, two of which landed safely, and one of them crashed."

The provincial official emphasized that the number and identities of any potential casualties, as well as the exact cause and details of the incident, are not yet known.

Iran's Red Crescent announced that rescue teams have been dispatched to the crash site.

Search and rescue teams have arrived at an area close to the chopper incident, and are searching for the helicopter, but severe weather is slowing down the efforts, footage released by Iran's state TV shows.

A deputy provincial governor general says the chopper has crashed, and rescue teams have been dispatched, but Iran's state TV says it has had a "hard landing" amid foggy weather.

A chopper carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian has been involved in an "incident" in Jolfa region, northwestern Iran, according to Iranian media reports.