In the aftermath of the death of President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran in helicopter crash on Sunday, Iranian cabinet has convened a second emergency meeting.
Media report on Monday that the Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber had already chaired a meeting on Sunday evening after the helicopter went missing with nine people on board over Iran’s north-west.
The report stated that Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian also died in the helicopter crash.
Raisi and Amirabdollahian were travelling back from a meeting with the president of neighbouring Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, when their aircraft disappeared from radar on Sunday afternoon.
According to protocol, with Raisi’s death, Mokhber should assume power, pending approval from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
New elections will then have to hold within 50 days.
The death has heralded uproar among world leaders with Sri Lankan President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, saying that he was deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
In an online statement, Wickremesinghe expressed his deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the government and the people of Iran.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of President Raisi and his entourage,’’ Wickremesinghe said.
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria extends his condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the passing of the President.
President Tinubu expresses profound grief over this disturbing tragedy, and describes President Raisi as a leader who was passionately committed to the development of Iran.
While commiserating with the bereaved families, President Tinubu prays for the continuous peace, stability, and prosperity of the Iranian nation.
On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, the President assures the Islamic Republic of Nigeria’s support and prayers in this moment of grief.
European Council President Charles Michel expressed condolences on behalf of the European Union after the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter accident.
“The EU expresses its sincere condolences for the death of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Abdollahian, as well as other members of their delegation and crew in a helicopter accident,” Michel said on X.
“Our thoughts go to the families,” he added.
Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were among nine people who died when their helicopter crashed in Iran’s mountainous north-west during bad weather on Sunday, state media reported.
