Khamenei declares five days of official mourning for the martyrdom of President Raisi and his companions

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, declared five days of official public mourning for the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and their companions in the helicopter crash that was carrying them.

In a cable addressed to the Iranian people, Khamenei offered his condolences  over the martyrdom of President Raisi, the Foreign Minister, and their companions in the helicopter crash.

On the other hand, Khamenei said: Vice President Muhammad Mokhber assumes the duties of president in accordance with Article 131 of the Iranian Constitution.

Mokhber and  Heads of the judiciary and legislative authority must prepare to hold elections within 50 days.

In this context, Iranian government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi announced that Assistant Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has been appointed Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, succeeding the late Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

Rawaa Ghanam