Ebrahim Raisi: What Happens In Iran When President Dies In Office

• The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would confirm the first vice president, Mohammad Mukhber, as the next president of Iran in an acting capacity
• The presidential election would be organised by a council of the first vice president, the speaker of parliament, and the head of the judiciary
• The bodies of the fallen President Ebrahim Raisi and eight other officials were discovered on Monday, May 20

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Iran - Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi has been killed alongside eight other state officials in a chopper crash.

The tragedy unfolded on Sunday, May 19, as the government officials were returning from Azerbaijan after attending the inauguration of a dam on Saturday, May 18.

What delayed recovery of Ebrahim Raisi's remains?

Under circumstances yet to be confirmed, the helicopter carrying Iran's head of state crashed, claiming the lives of all passengers on board.

The recovery of their remains was delayed until Monday morning, May 20, owing to severe weather conditions exacerbated by heavy rainfall across the country.

Multiple nations, including Turkey and Russia, contributed to the rescue efforts, providing drones equipped with night cameras.

What happens after President Raisi's death?

In the wake of Raisi's sudden passing, Mohammad Mokhber, the first vice president and a former officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is expected to assume the role of acting head of state with the approval of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as reported by Reuters.

The supreme leader, also known as the Velayat-e Faqih in Shia Islamic theology, is the ultimate ruler in Iran and is responsible for making all major decisions concerning the state.

According to Article 131 of the Islamic Republic's constitution, a council comprising the first vice president, the speaker of parliament, and the head of the judiciary must organise a presidential election within a maximum period of 50 days.

Raisi had assumed office in 2021, with his tenure scheduled to end in 2025.

Ebrahim Raisi's last moments before chopper accident

According to footage shared online, the president was discussing with another passenger while on the plane.

he was focused and peeping through the window, seemingly asking a few questions.

The colleague appeared to be providing explanations as the duo looked at the mountainous terrain during their flight.

What else you need to know about Ebrahim Raisi

• Facts about the helicopter that claimed his life and eight others have been detailed
• A video showing how their remains are being collected from the accident scene in Azerbaijan has surfaced
• He played a role in the deaths of over 5,000 Marxists and leftists when he was a deputy prosecutor in the Revolutionary Court

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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Ebrahim Raisi (left frame). He has perished in a tragic chopper crash. Mohammad Mukhber (right frame). He is to assume Office of the President.

Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s president, dies in helicopter crash aged 63

Iran: Präsident Raisi beigesetzt | Euronews