Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been dead in a helicopter crash, with nine fatalities including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed interim president until new elections are held within 50 days.
Mokhber, closely associated with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was previously under EU sanctions for alleged involvement in nuclear or ballistic missile activities and led an investment fund linked to Khamenei sanctioned by the US Treasury Department.
1. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash, along with nine others, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
2. Cause of the crash was unclear; fog and bad weather hampered rescuers’ response.
3. Exact location of the helicopter found; no survivors reported.
4. Raisi and delegation returning from inauguration of dam on Azerbaijan border.
5. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber appointed interim president.
6. Mokhber, close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, previously under EU sanctions for alleged involvement in nuclear or ballistic missile activities.
7. Mokhber also led Setad, an investment fund linked to Khamenei, sanctioned by the US Treasury Department.
8. New elections will be held within 50 days to elect a permanent president.
