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Explainer: Who will run Iran after president’s demise?

The Iranian Constitution clearly states that, “In case of death, dismissal, resignation, absence, or illness lasting longer than two months of the president or when his term in office has ended and a new president has not been elected due to some impediments, or similar other circumstances, his first deputy shall assume, with the approval of the Leader, the powers and functions of the President.”

Therefore, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will step up to be at the helm as acting president after Raisi’s death.

The Constitution also stipulates that a council, consisting of the speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, or parliament, Mohammad Baqre Qalibaf, head of the Judiciary Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, and the first deputy of the president Mokhber, is obliged to arrange for a new president to be elected within a maximum period of fifty days.

“In case of death of the first deputy to the president, or other matters which prevent him to perform his duties or when the President does not have a first deputy, the Leader shall appoint another person in his place,” the Constitution further notes.

Reports: Iranian president, delegation on board crashed helicopter all dead

Raisi and Amirabdollahian

Rescue teams found the wreckage of the helicopter after over 15 hours of search for the crash site in the adverse weather conditions in East Azarbaijan Province.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Tabriz Friday prayers leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, Governor of East Azarbaijan Province Malek Rahmati, top IRGC commander General Seyyed Mehdi Mousavi were accompanying President Raisi in the fateful flight.

According to initial reports and video images, the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

President Raisi was returning from the inauguration ceremony of a dam on Aras River when the accident happened.

Official: Exact location of Iranian President’s helicopter crash identified

He said a signal was received from the helicopter and the mobile phone of one of the crew members at the accident site.

The local IRGC chief noted: “We are now deploying all military forces to the identified region and hope to deliver good news to the people soon.”

He also noted that 30% of the military forces are currently present in the region, indicating that this level of deployment is sufficient for the rescue operation.

Further updates are anticipated as the search progresses.

Meanwhile Turkey has dispatched a night vision helicopter, 32 rescuers and 6 vehicles to the location to help Iranian peers with the search operation.

Red Crescent: Likely crash site of Iranian president’s helicopter identified

After hours of searching, the teams have pinpointed a possible site, and the search continues with further updates expected soon.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi reported that all forces have been mobilized in response to the accident.

“Following the incident, various groups, including the IRGC forces, the army, the police, the Red Crescent, local volunteers, and villagers, have been actively searching for the crash site,” Vahidi stated.

The challenging terrain, steep and forested slopes, heavy rain, and limited visibility have hindered the rescue efforts.

“Unfortunately, the rescue forces have not yet reached the exact location due to these difficult conditions. However, there is a significant presence of rescue personnel in the area, and we remain hopeful that, with the prayers of the people, we will soon reach the accident site,” Vahidi added.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey respond to Iranian president’s helicopter accident

The ministry stated, “We confirm that Saudi Arabia stands with the Islamic Republic of Iran in this difficult time. Our government reaffirms its readiness to provide any needed assistance to Iranian relief organizations.”

Similarly, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conveyed his sorrow over the incident.

“I am deeply saddened that my brother, President Ebrahim Raisi, and his delegation have experienced a helicopter accident,” Erdogan said. “We are closely monitoring the situation in full coordination with Iranian officials and are ready to offer any necessary support.”

Erdogan added, “On behalf of my nation, I extend my best wishes to the people and government of our neighboring, friendly, and brotherly country, Iran. I hope to soon receive good news about the president and his delegation.”

Pictures: Presence of rescue forces near helicopter incident site, northern Iran

The search is being hindered by difficult terrain, thick fog, and the darkness of night, making the operation extremely challenging.

The copter carrying President Raisi and his accompanying delegation hard landed in a mountainous region in Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province on Sunday.

Official: Communication established with Passengers of helicopter carrying President Raisi

He indicated that communication was established with one passenger and one staff member from the helicopter.

It appears that the accident was a not serious, Mansouri said, adding search efforts are being concentrated within a two-kilometer radius of the incident site, with hopes that good news will soon reach the public.

The incident happened on Sunday in East Azerbaijan Province while President Raisi and his accompanying delegation including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were on the way back to Tabriz, the provincial capital city.

Azerbaijan’s Aliyev voices solidarity following copter incident involving President Raisi

Following an earlier friendly meeting with the Iranian president, Aliyev conveyed his prayers to Almighty God for the safety and well-being of President Raisi and the accompanying delegation.

Furthermore, he affirmed Azerbaijan’s readiness to provide any necessary support as a neighboring, friendly, and brother country.

Aliyev and Raisi had earlier inaugurated a dam on the Aras River on the Iran-Azerbaijan border.

Iran’s Leader pointing to president copter incident: There will be no disruption in country’s work

Ayatollah Khamenei

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Everyone should pray for the health of this group of servants. If the people of Iran do not worry, there will be no disruption in the work of the country.”

The incident happened in a mountainous region in East Azerbaijan Province in northeastern Iran while President Raisi and his accompanying delegation including Foreign Minister Hossen Amiradbollahian, were flying on a helicopter.

The president had earlier attended the inauguration ceremony of a dam on the Aras River, bordering Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Iran’s health minister: President Raisi’s copter crash site is difficult to access due to fog

“We have set up treatment facilities. We are now in the area and all rescue forces are busy searching,” Eynollahi said on state TV Sunday.

“We have deployed all medical facilities, including emergency medicine, surgery and ambulance,” he added.

The Chairman of Iran’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mohammad Bagheri, also said the Iranian military has been in the area of the crash since it was first reported.

“All the facilities, equipment and capacities of the army, the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and the police command are being used to provide relief and search for the helicopter of the president and his companions.”

The armed forces are also investigating the source of the crash, he added.

Rescue teams are making all efforts to reach the Iranian president’s helicopter quickly, according to reports.

Weather reports indicate that in the next two hours, the weather is expected to become extremely cold in the crash site area, which could prevent the rescuers from progressing.

The Iranian government is asking for patience, prayer, and trust in the rescuers who are attempting to reach the site, Iranian government spokesperson Ali Bahadori Jahromi wrote on X.

The Red Crescent, rescue teams, mountaineers and other rescue groups hope to arrive at the location of the possible coordinates of the president’s helicopter in less than half an hour.

The helicopter was part of a convoy of three helicopters. Two of those helicopters were carrying ministers and officials who arrived at their destination safely.