Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has confirmed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as the country’s acting president after President Ebrahim Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash that also killed Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.
Several officials, including a provincial governor, were on board when the aircraft went down in northern Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.
They all are believed to be dead.
Khamenei also declares five days of national mourning. New elections will be held within 50 days.
World and regional leaders send condolences following the deaths of Raisi and Amirabdollahian.