Although there is no official announcement yet, there are strong indications that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, died in the helicopter crash occasioned by bad weather on Sunday.
Following reports of intense search efforts, Aljazeera reports that Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian have been killed in the crash in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.
The international media platform noted: “Rescuers found the crash site after an hours-long search in difficult weather.
“Iran’s vice president will assume the powers of the presidency and new elections will be held within 50 days.
“Countries across the Middle East express solidarity with Iran.”
The helicopter was said to have been completely burnt, with Iranian officials quoted as saying there were no signs of safety of the people on board.
While other world leaders have yet to react, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has expressed condolences to Iran and its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, saying that Raisi was an “unconditional friend” of Venezuela.
“A heartfelt hug from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. You, Iran, are an example of dignity, morality and resistance,” Maduro wrote in a social media post.”
