By Tom Pyman
Revealed: 06:51 BST, 20 Might 2024 | Up to date: 13:26 BST, 20 Might 2024
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Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has been killed in a helicopter crash, Iranian state media has confirmed.
Mr Raisi was on board an plane alongside the Iranain international minster Hossein Amir-Abdollahian when it crashed right into a mountain vary on Sunday after it received into issue whereas travelling in heavy fog.
Rescuers mentioned there was “no signal of life” once they managed to achieve the wreckage with the search effort hampered by dangerous climate situations.
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Iran is about to look at 5 days of nationwide mourning following the sudden loss of life of the president.
However there seems to be loads of Iranians who will have fun moderately than commiserate the passing of Ebrahim Raisi, who has earned a fame as a brutal, hardline executor of Khamenei’s will.
The daughters of Minoo Majidi – a 62-year-old Iranian girl who was one in all a whole bunch of individuals shot useless by safety providers in the course of the nationwide fallout following the loss of life of Mahsa Amini in September 2022 – shared a video to social media elevating a glass to the president’s demise.
Putin speaks to Iran’s interim president
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone name with Iran’s interim president Mohammad Mokhber on Monday and each harassed their “mutual intention to additional strengthen Russian-Iranian interplay”, the Kremlin mentioned.
Mokhber was appointed interim president after President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in mountains close to the Azerbaijan border on Sunday.
Putin had described Raisi as a ‘true pal to Russia’ as he expressed condolences over his loss of life.
Iran’s Supreme Chief – Raisi was ‘honest and precious servant’
Earlier we introduced you the information that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (proper, pictured with Raisi) had ordered 5 days of public mourning following the loss of life of President Ebrahim Raisi.
We are able to now deliver you a translated model of his assertion, courtesy of Reuters, that was learn out on Iranian state tv.
Within the identify of God. We come from God and we return to him.
It was with nice unhappiness and remorse that I obtained the bitter information of the martyrdom of the devoted (spiritual) scholar, the favored president who was competent and hard-working, the servant of Imam Reza (PBUH), Hojjatoleslam (spiritual title) Ebrahim Raisi and his pricey companions. Might God bless him and grant him peace.
This unlucky incident occurred throughout his time in service of the nation. Raisi was a noble one who, each throughout and earlier than his brief presidency, put his continuous efforts within the service of the individuals, the nation, and Islam.
On this tragic incident, the Iranian nation misplaced a honest and precious servant. For him, the welfare and satisfaction of the individuals was put over all the things and the ingratitude of some ill-wishers didn’t forestall him from working day and evening to enhance present affairs.
EU chief provides condolences to Iran
Western leaders have largely remained silent following the loss of life of Ebrahim Raisi however the European Union’s international coverage chief Josep Borrell has supplied his condolences.
Mr Borrell was pictured right here with Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian Overseas Minister, who was additionally killed within the crash on Sunday. The lads met in Tehran in June, 2022.
“The EU expresses its sympathies to the households of all of the victims and to the Iranian residents affected,” he mentioned in an announcement.
Iran helicopter crash: Every little thing we all know to this point
In case you have simply joined us, let’s recap what we all know on the Iran helicopter crash this afternoon.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Overseas Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian had been amongst 9 individuals killed when the plane plummeted into mountains on Sunday – there have been no survivors.
Developments at present embody:
- Ebrahim Raisi is predicted to be laid to relaxation at his funeral in Tabriz tomorrow following affirmation he was one in all 9 individuals killed when a helicopter crashed on Sunday in north west Iran
- Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered 5 days of public mourning in Iran and assigned vice chairman Mohammad Mokhber to imagine interim presidential duties with an election anticipated within the subsequent 50 days
- Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are amongst world leaders to pay tribute to Raisi, who earned himself the nickname ‘The Butcher of Tehran’ after he oversaw a bloodbath which killed hundreds
- Israel is but to say something in relation to Raisi’s loss of life however an official has denied any involvement within the crash on Sunday.
We are going to proceed to offer the most recent information, response and evaluation all through the afternoon.
Watch: Iranians CELEBRATE Raisi’s loss of life
Whereas a whole bunch of Iranian have gathered in the principle squares of cities like Tehran to wish for President Ebrahim Raisi following the deadly helicopter crash, stories have emerged of some CELEBRATING his demise.
Footage reveals some nationals celebrating by setting off fireworks into the sky and with drinks, whereas some have shared jokes and memes on social media.
MailOnline reporter Chris Jewers takes a have a look at Iran’s performing president Mohammad Mokhber who’s tasked with organising new presidential elections within the subsequent 50 days.
Like Raisi, Mokhber is seen as near Khamenei who has the final say in all issues of state
Footage: Rescuers at helicopter crash website
New pictures have now emerged of rescuers on the website of a deadly helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage together with Overseas Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
Iranian diplomat – US partly in charge for helicopter crash
A former Iranian international minister has claimed america is partly accountable for Ebrahim Raisi’s loss of life as he blamed sanctions on aviation components for the helicopter concerned within the crash.
Mohammad Javad Zarif, who served in Hassan Rouhani’s authorities for eight years till 2021, mentioned the sanctions hampered Iran’s capabilities to improve its plane.
Talking to state TV, Zarif mentioned:
One of many culprits behind yesterday’s tragedy is america, due to its sanctions that bar Iran from procuring important aviation components.
The Bell 212 helicopter that crashed on Sunday with Raisi on board was developed for the Canadian army within the late Nineteen Sixties and launched to the nation’s army and the US in Nineteen Seventies.
Footage: Flowers outdoors embassies and flags flown at half mast in present of assist to Iran
New pictures have emerged of floral tributes left outdoors the Iranian embassy in Moscow, whereas some nations are flying flags at half mast to pay their respects to Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s president who was killed in a helicopter crash.
Lebanon, Pakistan and Syria have all declared days of mourning.
Evaluation: How will helicopter crash have an effect on the image throughout the Center East?
The crash of a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the nation’s international minister and different officers is prone to reverberate throughout the Center East.
That is as a result of Iran has spent many years supporting armed teams in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and the Palestinian territories that permit it to venture energy and doubtlessly deter assaults from america or Israel, the sworn enemies of its 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Tensions have by no means been increased than they had been final month, when Iran underneath Raisi and Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched a whole bunch of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel in response to an airstrike on an Iranian Consulate in Syria that killed two Iranian generals and 5 officers.
Israel, with the assistance of the US, Britain, Jordan and others, intercepted almost all of the projectiles.
In response, Israel apparently launched its personal strike towards an air protection radar system within the Iranian metropolis of Isfahan, inflicting no casualties however sending an unmistakable message.
The perimeters have waged a shadow warfare of covert operations and cyberattacks for years, however the alternate of fireside in April was their first direct army confrontation.
MailOnline reporter Chris Jewers has reported how Raisi earned himself the nickname the ‘Butcher of Tehran’.
The now useless president oversaw the bloodbath of hundreds in Iran, imposed a brutal hijab crackdown and moved his nation in direction of constructing nuclear weapons.
Iran helicopter crash: What we all know in regards to the plane
Iran’s President and Overseas Minister had been killed after they boarded a Bell 212 helicopter on the Azerbaijan border to take them to Tabriz, a metropolis in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.
This is what we all know in regards to the helicopters
- Bell Helicopter (now Bell Textron, a division of Textron Inc ) developed the plane for the Canadian army within the late Nineteen Sixties as an improve of the unique UH-1 Iroquois.
- The helicopter was launched in 1971 and rapidly adopted by each america and Canada, based on U.S. army coaching paperwork.
- As a utility helicopter – the UH in its army designation represents these phrases – the Bell 212 is supposed to be adaptable to all kinds of conditions, together with carrying individuals, deploying aerial firefighting gear, ferrying cargo and mounting weapons.
- The Iranian mannequin that crashed on Sunday was configured to hold authorities passengers.
- Bell Helicopter advertises the most recent model, the Subaru Bell 412, for police use, medical transport, troop transport, the vitality trade and firefighting. In line with its sort certification paperwork with the European Union Aviation Security Company, it will probably carry 15 individuals, together with the crew.
- The newest deadly crash of a Bell 212 was in September 2023, when a privately operated plane crashed off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, based on the Flight Security Basis, a non-profit specializing in aviation security.
- The newest Iranian crash of the sort was in 2018, killing 4 individuals, based on the organisation’s database.
Raisi’s funeral ‘to be held tomorrow’
It has been reported that Ebrahim Raisi’s funeral will happen tomorrow in Tabriz, the town he was travelling to when he was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
In line with the Tasnim information company, affiliated to the nation’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, funerals for all different officers may also happen within the East Azerbaijan province.
In photos: How Iran reacted to President’s loss of life
Iranians are about to enter a interval of nationwide mourning after President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash.
Affirmation of Raisi’s loss of life got here earlier at present after the plane plummeted right into a mountainous space on Sunday because it transported the 63-year-old to Tabriz from the Azerbaijan border.
These pictures present how Iran has reacted to Raisi’s loss of life which is on the entrance web page of newspapers throughout the nation.
Iran appoints new international minister
Iran’s deputy international minister Ali Bagheri Kani (pictured) has been appointed the performing international minister, following the loss of life of Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, based on Reuters information company.
Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei assigned vice chairman Mohammad Mokhber to imagine interim duties after the loss of life of president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash a day earlier.
“In accordance with Article 131 of the structure, Mokhber is in control of main the manager department,” mentioned Khamenei in an announcement, including that Mokhber will likely be required to work with the heads of legislative and judicial to organize for presidential elections “inside a most interval of fifty days”.
Watch: Footage captures helicopter crash website
Footage launched by Islamic Republic Information Company (IRNA) confirmed what they described because the crash website, throughout a steep valley in a inexperienced mountain vary.
Troopers talking within the native Azeri language mentioned: “There it’s, we discovered it.” Shortly after, state TV in an on-screen scrolling textual content mentioned: “There isn’t a signal of life from individuals on board.”
Breaking:Iran to carry 5 days of mourning
Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) has declared the nation will observe 5 days of mourning following the loss of life of President Ebrahim Raisi.
In feedback reported by the Fars Information Company, the Ayatollah additionally introduced vice chairman Mohammad Mokhber will assume the presidency and make preparations with the pinnacle of the legislative and judicial branches to elect a brand new president inside 50 days.
Who was Hossein Amir-Abdollahian? Iran’s Overseas Minister who died alongside Raisi
A lot of the main focus has been on the loss of life of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi however Iran is mourning the lack of one other senior political determine – the Overseas Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (pictured).
Let’s check out Amir-Abdollahian’s life and profession and what his loss of life means for Iran going ahead:
- Amir-Abdollahian was born within the metropolis of Damghan, east of Tehran, in 1964. He had earned a bachelor’s diploma in worldwide relations from the College of Tehran in 1991, later finishing a grasp’s diploma and a doctorate in the identical discipline.
- As a diplomat within the Iranian international service, his postings included Iraq, from 1997 to 2001, and Bahrain, from 2007 to 2010.
- A profession diplomat and conservative determine with shut ties to the Revolutionary Guards, Amir-Abdollahian took workplace following Raisi’s 2021 election win.
- Amir-Abdollahian’s tenure as Iran’s prime diplomat was marked by intense diplomatic efforts aiming to finish Iran’s isolation and offset the impression of crippling US sanctions over Iran’s contested nuclear programme.
- He significantly sought to forge relations with the Islamic republic’s Arab neighbours together with the area’s Sunni Muslim powerhouse Saudi Arabia.
He was married and had two kids.
Vladimir Putin – Raisi was ‘true pal of Russia’
Russian President Vladimir Putin ship his condolences to Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday over the loss of life of Ebrahim Raisi and mentioned that he had been a real pal of Russia.
Putin and Raisi had been pictured assembly each other in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in September 2022.
Please settle for my deep condolences in reference to the good tragedy that befell the individuals of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Seyed Ebrahim Raisi was an excellent politician whose whole life was dedicated to serving the Motherland.
As a real pal of Russia, he made a useful private contribution to the event of fine neighborly relations between our nations and made nice efforts to deliver them to the extent of strategic partnership.
Israel not concerned in helicopter crash, official says
Israel is but to touch upon Ebrahim Raisi’s loss of life however an official has advised the Reuters information company that the nation was not concerned within the deadly helicopter crash which additionally killed Overseas Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.
“It wasn’t us,” mentioned the official, who requested anonymity.
The reason for the helicopter crash shouldn’t be but identified however it’s understood the plane received into issue throughout dangerous climate as blizzards hampered the search and rescue effort.
Iran and Israel are longtime enemies, with the latter strongly opposing Tehran’s creating nuclear programme,
Iran has backed, funded and educated a number of proxy group throughout the Center East together with Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon in addition to factions in Iraq and Syria.
China sends condolences to Iran over Raisi’s loss of life
China has turn out to be the most recent nation to indicate assist to Iran after Xi Jinping, the Chinese language President, expressed condolences within the wake of Ebrahim Raisi’s loss of life.
We are able to additionally deliver you extra response from fellow world leaders:
- Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan mentioned Raisi was a ‘precious colleague and brother’ who he’ll keep in mind with ‘respect and gratitude’.
- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad mentioned he’ll all the time keep in mind Raisi’s go to to Syria in Might final 12 months as an ‘necessary milestone’ for relations between the 2 nations
- Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev mentioned Iran had misplaced an ‘excellent statesman’ who served ‘elflessly and faithfully all his life’.
Hamas mourns Raisi
Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group and proscribed terrorist organisation, has mourned the loss of life of President Raisi (pictured) whom they mentioned had proven assist throughout its warfare with Israel.
In an announcement launched following the deaths of Raisi and Overseas Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, a Hamas spokesperson mentioned:
These leaders supported the legit wrestle of our individuals towards the Zionist entity, supplied valued assist to the Palestinian resistance, and made tireless efforts in solidarity and assist in all boards and fields for our individuals within the steadfast Gaza Strip in the course of the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood.
In addition they made vital political and diplomatic efforts to cease the Zionist aggression towards our Palestinian individuals.
How the world reacted to Iran helicopter crash
World leaders have expressed their condolences to Iran following the loss of life of the nation’s President Ebrahim Raisi.
Listed here are statements from the leaders of India, Pakistan and Venezuela.
Watch: President Raisi’s ultimate moments earlier than helicopter crash
Footage displaying President Raisi on board the helicopter that crashed and killed him has emerged.
Raisi was seen staring out of the window of the plane, which was touring within the East Azerbaijan province close to Jolfa, round 375 miles northwest of Tehran when it crashed.
Map: President’s helicopter crashed after taking off from Azerbaijan border
This is a map which reveals the place the helicopter carrying President Raisi crashed killing him and his officers.
The plane was taking Raisi from the Azerbaijan border to Tabriz, the capital of the East Azerbaijan Province, when it received into difficulties and plummeted right into a mountainous space on Sunday.
In photos: Iran helicopter crash
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed when a helicopter he was travelling in crashed right into a mountainous area in north-west Iran on Sunday.
The plane received into difficulties in heavy fog because it transported Mr Raisi and his officers to the town of Tabriz.
Listed here are some pictures of the helicopter crash and the search and rescue effort.
What occurs now and who takes over?
Beneath the Iranian structure, Iran´s vice first president takes over if the president dies with Ayatollah Khamenei´s ascent, and a brand new presidential election can be known as inside 50 days.
Iranian state media has already reported Mohammad Mokhber, 68 has assumed the function of interim president and has already had begun receiving calls from officers and international governments.
Mokhber will lead a brief authorities alongside the speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and the pinnacle of the judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i.
Qalibaf, who campaigned for the Iranian presidency as early as 2005, is predicted to be one of many candidates pushing arduous to succeed Raisi.
Profile: Who was Ebrahim Raisi?
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was a hardline cleric who rose from hardline prosecutor to uncompromising president and was tipped at some point to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei because the nation’s Supreme Chief.
This is a quick rundown of his life and political profession:
- Raisi was born in 1960 to a non secular household in Iran’s holy Shi’ite Muslim metropolis of Mashhad. When he was 5, he misplaced his father however adopted him in his footsteps to turn out to be a cleric.
- As a younger scholar at a non secular seminary within the holy metropolis of Qom, Raisi took half in protests towards the Western-backed Shah within the 1979 revolution. Later, his contacts with spiritual leaders in Qom made him a trusted determine within the judiciary.
- Raisi was elected president in a carefully managed vote in 2021, wherein he adopted a tricky stance in nuclear negotiations.
- His victory introduced all branches of energy in Iran underneath the management of hardliners loyal to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, thereby bolstering his possibilities of succeeding him.
- Raisi has overseen a crackdown on protests at house together with his hardline place evident a 12 months into his presidency when he ordered tighter enforcement of Iran’s ‘hijab and chastity legislation’ proscribing ladies’s gown and behavior.
Iran helicopter crash: Every little thing we all know to this point
Should you’re simply waking up, here is all the things you might want to know this morning:
- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been confirmed useless after rescuers discovered a helicopter carrying him and different officers that crashed within the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday
- Raisi, 63, was amongst 9 individuals to be declared useless alongside Iran’s Overseas Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian
- Rescuers fought by means of blizzards and tough terrain by means of the evening to achieve the wreckage within the early hours of Monday after a search effort backed by Russia was hampered due to dangerous climate
- The Iranian authorities held an ‘pressing assembly’ on Monday, with Raisi’s chair left vacant and coated in a black sash – state broadcasters are airing Islamic prayers in between information broadcasts
- Mohammad Mokhber, 68, Iran’s first vice chairman, will assume function of interim president and has already taken calls from international leaders providing their condolences, state media reported
We are going to deliver you additional developments as and once we get them.
Mr Raisi was one in all 9 individuals killed when a helicopter crashed within the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday.
The 63-year-old was travelling to the town of Tabriz, within the north-west of Iran, after he attended a gap ceremony for a brand new dam alongside the nation’s border with Azerbaijan.
Good morning
We will likely be offering reside updates at present following affirmation that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (pictured) has been killed in a helicopter crash.
Mr Raisi was on board an plane alongside the Iranain international minster Hossein Amir-Abdollahian when it crashed right into a mountain vary on Sunday.
We are going to deliver you the most recent information, response and evaluation to this breaking information story.
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Iran helicopter crash RECAP: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi killed alongside nation’s international minister killed after plane plummets into mountain vary