Iranian television: Pres. Raisi, FM Amir-Abdollahain die in helicopter crash

President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and their accompanying delegation were killed in a helicopter crash, said Iranian state television on Monday. Previously, Iranian State television revealed that the helicopter made a "hard landing" on its way back from East Azerbaijan province, where President Raisi along with Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev took part in a ceremony of a joint dam between the two countries. Article 131 of the Iranian constitution stipulates that the first vice president is to take over the presidency following confirmation of Supreme Leader, until early elections are held within a span of 50 days. The aforementioned article addresses vacancy of president's position due to any emergent situation. Current first Vice President is Mohammad Mokhber who was appointed by Raisi when he assumed office in 2021. The presidency will appoint an official to occupy the foreign minister's positions for a period of three months, until a new a minister is appointed. Earlier, a helicopter crash killed President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and their accompanying delegation. The helicopter was on its way back from East Azerbaijan province, where President Raisi along with Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev took part in a ceremony of a joint dam. Source: Kuwait News Agency