Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced a five-day national mourning period following the death of President Ibrahim Raisi and his companions in a helicopter crash on Sunday in northeastern Iran. Khamenei appointed Iranian Vice President Mohammad Mokhber to assume presidential responsibilities after Raisi's death.
The Supreme Leader stated that the first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, is responsible for the executive authority according to the constitution, noting that "Mokhber has a maximum of 50 days to arrange for elections in coordination with the heads of the judiciary and legislative branches." The heads of the judiciary and legislative branches in Iran emphasized the need for cooperation with the vice president to continue the executive functions.
For his part, Mokhber assured the Supreme Leader of "never failing to serve the people in line with Raisi's path." Iranian media reported on Monday the appointment of Ali Bagheri as the head of the Foreign Relations Committee (Minister of Foreign Affairs) in the Iranian government, succeeding Hussein Amir-Abdollahian, who was killed alongside the president.
The Iranian government mourned President Ibrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian, and all their companions after the helicopter crash. In an urgent meeting, the government confirmed that "Raisi's path will continue and there will be no disruption in the management of the country." They stated, "The death of Raisi will not cause any disturbance in our work."
