Iran president Ebrahim Raisi dead as helicopter wreckage found – live news

The aircraft went down in between Jolfa and Varzaqan, a region on the border of Azerbaijani exclave Nakhchivan, around 600 kilometers (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran.

Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan has expressed condolences over the deaths of Ebrahim Raisi and Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

“From the first moment we heard of the accident, we have been in contact with the Iranian authorities and mobilised all means to assist [rescue] efforts. Relevant institutions including our Defence Ministry and AFAD disaster authority did their best but unfortunately we weren’t able to hear good news,” Mr Fidan said.

Hamas has benefited from funding, weapons and training from Iran – and on Monday morning, it the Palestinian militant group issued a statement on the death of Mr Raisi and his foreign minister.

It read: “These leaders supported the legitimate struggle of our people against the Zionist entity, provided valued support to the Palestinian resistance, and made tireless efforts in solidarity and support in all forums and fields for our people in the steadfast Gaza Strip during the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood,” referring to the current war with Israel which began on Oct 7.

“They also made significant political and diplomatic efforts to stop the Zionist aggression against our Palestinian people.”

The death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has led to questions on what happens next in the consititution of the Islamic Republic.

Under protocol, vice-president, Mohammed Mokhber, will run the affairs of the country before an election for a new president is held within a maximum of 50 days.

The election will be overseen by Mr Mokhber and the heads of parliament and the judiciary.

Following confirmation of the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, several world leaders have started releasing tribute.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened and shocked by the news, and sent his condolences to Raisi’s family and the people of Iran. “India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” Modi said in a post on social platform X on Monday. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, whose government coalition is close to Tehran, expressed “great sadness and great sorrow” in a statement on Monday. He also extended “sincere condolences” to Iran‘s supreme leader and government and “solidarity with the brotherly Iranian people.”

Iran‘s Cabinet held an emergency meeting as state media announced the death of President Ebrahim Raisi.

The cabinet offered its condolences, saying in a statement that he made the ultimate sacrifice in serving his country, according to a report by the state-run IRNA news agency.

The report was accompanied by a photo of Raisi’s chair draped in black, his photo on the desk.

“We assure our loyal and appreciative and beloved nation that the path of service will continue with the tireless spirit of Ayatollah Raisi, the hero and the servant of the nation and the faithful friend of the leadership,” the cabinet said in a statement carried by IRNA.

Pakistan announced it would observe a day of mourning and the flag will fly at half mast as a mark of respect for Raisi and his companions.

Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said he extended his deepest condolences to “Brotherly Iran” on behalf of himself and the Pakistani people and government.

Born to a conservative family in eastern Iran, Ebrahim Raisi studied theology at the seminaries in Qom.

He was a teenager when the country’s popular revolution established Iran as a theocracy, but he quickly became an enthusiastic participant in enforcing the vision of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic.

Athena Stavrou and Shweta Sharma report.