Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, known for brutal crackdowns against political opposition, dies at 63
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, known for enforcing brutal crackdowns on political opposition and seen as a potential successor to the supreme leader, has died in a helicopter crash landing in the country’s north, state media reported Monday. He was 63 years old.
Raisi, a conservative hard-line cleric, took office in August 2021 after several popular candidates were disqualified from the election, which saw historically low turnout. He wore a black turban, symbolic of those who are descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.
His tenure saw a crackdown on mass protests after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was killed; the enforcement of a strict women’s dress code; increased enrichment of uranium after the U.S. withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal; and increased military tensions with Israel and the West as the regime supported Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Who will succeed Raisi?
According to Iranian law, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume power after receiving an approval from the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is the head of state.
A presidential election must be called within 50 days, the law says.
Khamanei has said there will be no disruption to state affairs.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is dead, Iran state media says
President Ebrahim Raisi died when the helicopter he was in crashed Sunday, and no survivors were located early Monday, Iranian state media has confirmed.
Raisi, 63, was returning with other government officials who presided at the inauguration of a dam on the Aras River on the border with Azerbaijan when the helicopter went down near the village of Uzi in in northwest Iran, according to reports.
Iran state media says 'no sign of life' on helicopter
Iran state media reported there is "no sign of life" after the helicopter carrying Iran's president was located.
Helicopter’s exact location is found, Iran state-affiliated media reports
The exact site of the helicopter crash has been found, according to Iranian media outlets.
The head of the Iranian Red Crescent said early Monday local time that searchers were walking toward the helicopter and were about 2 kilometers away, Fars News Media reported.
Student News Network reported that first responders were on their way to the downed helicopter.
Group prayers take place in Tehran for Iran’s president following chopper crash
Large groups gathered to pray for Raisi following the “crash landing” of his helicopter. Raisi’s condition remains unclear.
No evidence of 'foul play' at root of helicopter crash, says Sen. Schumer
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., says intelligence authorities have informed him that there is "no evidence of foul play" in the helicopter crash.
"It was very bad, foggy weather, northwest Iran where the copter crashed. So it looks like an accident, but it’s still being fully investigated," Schumer said. "There’s an ongoing effort to locate the helicopter. They still haven’t done that, and I’ll keep monitoring the situation as it unfolds.”
Schumer made the remark at an unrelated news conference in Manhattan today, just as Iranian state media reported that crews believe they have found the site of the crash.
Iranian state media says exact location of helicopter crash identified
The location of the helicopter crash has been identified, Iranian state media reported.
The commander of the East Azerbaijan Army said that a signal from the helicopter and a cellphone belonging to one of the crew members at the accident site was received "minutes ago."
"Right now, we are leaving with all the military forces to the area in question and I hope to give good news to the people," the commander said.
State media video shows heavy fog around site in search for Iranian President Raisi
Video from Iranian state media appears to show heavy fog around the area where crews are reportedly carrying out search-and-rescue efforts after the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi experienced a “hard landing.” Raisi’s condition is unknown.
Contact made with 2 people in crash, Iranian official says
Mohsen Mansouri, Iran's vice president, said that contact has been established between rescue workers at two people involved in the crash.
He did not specify who rescue workers had been in contact with when making the comments on state television today, but noted that communication was established on "several occasions."