Brussels 20.05.2024 President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, 63, was killed in yesterday’s helicopter crash, IRINN Telegram Channel. Reports say that the helicopter hit the mountain before crashing as a result of severe weather conditions and fog. The official announcement of the death of Iran President Raisi took place at the shrine of Imam Reza in Teheran.
Iranian state broadcasters are airing Islamic prayers in between their news broadcasts following the announcement that President Ebrahim Raisi and eight others including Foreign minister died after the helicopter crashed in mountain area of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.

Iran’s government convened an “urgent meeting” on Monday, May 20, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA. A photo shared by IRNA showed that the chair that Raisi usually sits in was vacant and draped with a black sash in memory of the president.

Iran’s stock market was also closed on Monday, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News, which cited a member of the stock exchange’s board of directors.
According to the Iran’s Constitution in case President dies in office, article 131 of the Islamic Republic’s constitution says that the First vice president – nowadays Mohammad Mokhber – takes over, with the confirmation of the supreme leader, who has the final say in all important matters in Iran.
A council consisting of the first vice president, the speaker of Parliament and the head of the judiciary must arrange an election for a new president within a maximum period of 50 days.

Raisi was elected president in 2021 and, under the usual timetable, a presidential election had been due to take place in 2025. Under constitutional rules, it can now be expected to take place by early July.