Tehran: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country’s foreign minister were found dead on Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in the Shiite theocracy, quickly named a little known vice president as caretaker and insisted the government was in control, but the deaths mark yet another blow to a country beset by pressures both at home and abroad.
Iran has offered no cause for the crash nor suggested sabotage brought down the helicopter, which fell in mountainous terrain in a sudden, intense fog. In Tehran, Iran’s capital, businesses were open and children attended school. However, there was a noticeable presence of both uniformed and plainclothes security forces.
Later in the day, hundreds of mourners crowded into downtown Vali-e-Asr square holding posters of Raisi and waving Palestinian flags. Some men clutched prayer beads and were visibly crying. Women wearing black chadors gathered together holding photos of the dead leader.
As stipulated by the Iranian Constitution, first vice president Mohammad Mokhber will take over as the interim president. With Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s approval, Iran’s Guardian Council will hold elections within next 50 days to find Raisi’s permanent successor. Mokhber is reported to hold a degree in international law & has apparently played an important role in helping Iran bypass sanctions on its oil industry.
Modi expresses solidarity
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the contribution of President Raisi in strengthening bilateral ties, while expressing solidarity with the people of Iran. Foreign minister S Jaishankar expressed the same sentiment for his counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. A one-day state mourning was observed across India on Tuesday. Raisi had taken over in 2021 and while there was no bilateral visit by either leader during this period, Modi and Raisi did meet on the margins of Brics and SCO summits.
As stipulated by the Iranian Constitution, first vice president Mohammad Mokhber will take over as the interim president. With Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s approval, Iran’s Guardian Council will hold elections within next 50 days to find Raisi’s permanent successor. Mokhber is reported to hold a degree in international law & has apparently played an important role in helping Iran bypass sanctions on its oil industry.
