Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has announced five days of mourning and the closure of government and businesses following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on May 19 close to the Azerbaijan border.

The helicopter, which crashed carrying the six top officials into the foothills between Iran and Azerbaijan, took several hours to find the wreckage due to low visibility from fog and rain, which stretched into the night.

Mohammad Mokhber is now acting President following confirmation from Ayatollah Khamenei and will take over government operations until new elections are called in up to 50 days.

“I declare five days of public mourning and extend my condolences to the dear Iranian nation. Mr Mokhber, according to Article 131 of the Constitution, is placed in charge of the executive branch and is required, in collaboration with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches, to arrange for the election of a new president within a maximum of fifty days,” he said.

Khamenei also wrote his condolences to Raisi’s mother, wife and children in a personal message to the family on the leader.ir website.

Several other countries have also announced mourning days, including Iraq, Syria and Pakistan, while several other regional countries offered their condolences following the tragic accident. 

Ali Bagheri Khani, previously briefed with the nuclear file in negotiations over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is now acting Foreign Minister following the death of Amir-Abdollahian in the same helicopter.

Born in Mashhad in 1960, Raisi rose through Iran's judicial system ranks, gaining prominence as a hardliner known for his strict interpretation of Islamic law. He served as the Chief Justice of Iran from 2019, until he was elected President in 2021.

His tenure in the judiciary was marked by a controversial record, including his involvement in the mass executions of political prisoners in 1988, which drew widespread condemnation from international human rights organisations.

Raisi's presidency began during a tumultuous period for Iran, with the country grappling with severe economic sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and widespread public dissatisfaction. Despite these challenges, Raisi remained committed to his conservative agenda, advocating for greater self-reliance in the face of international isolation and maintaining a firm stance on Iran’s nuclear programme.