CGTN | Breaking News, China News, World News and Video

Several Iranian cities held funeral processions on Tuesday for President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials killed in a helicopter crash.

Leaders from Middle Eastern countries on Monday offered their condolences to Iran over the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and members of the accompanying team in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said on his X account, "I offer my condolences to the Iranian people on the death of Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials following the tragic plane accident."

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi expressed his condolences, emphasizing the council's solidarity with the Iranian government and people, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud sent condolences to Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber on the death of Raisi and his accompanying delegation, said a statement by the Saudi Press Agency.

Türkiye "stands by Iran in these painful days" and "shares grief of Iranian people," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Mokhber in a phone call on Monday, his office said in a statement.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi extended his sincere condolences to the people of Iran, expressing the solidarity of Egypt with the leadership and people of Iran during this tragic time, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.

President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed in a message "sincere condolences and deep sympathy to Iran, its leadership and the people over the painful accident," saying his country "stands in solidarity with Iran at this difficult time."

Syrian President Bashar Assad, in a message, highlighted Syria's solidarity with Iran and the families of the deceased, expressing his commitment to continuing the work initiated by Raisi to benefit both nations.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his "deep sorrow and solidarity" with the Iranian people during "this difficult time," lamenting "the loss of my brother and partner Ebrahim Raisi, with whom I was united in serving the bonds of brotherhood, cooperation, and solidarity between our two countries and peoples, and in supporting just causes."

Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan on Monday eulogized Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian and those who died in a helicopter crash, the sovereign council said in a statement.

In addition, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Tunisia's Presidency, the Libyan Foreign Ministry as well as the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants also extended condolences to the Iranian government and the people of Iran.

The crash occurred in Varzaqan County as Raisi, along with his accompanying team on board three helicopters, was on his way from Khoda Afarin County, where he had attended the inauguration ceremony of a storage dam along with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev earlier in the day, to the provincial capital Tabriz for the inauguration of a petrochemical complex.

The other members onboard Raisi's helicopter, including East Azerbaijan's Governor Malek Rahmati, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's Representative to East Azerbaijan Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, Raisi's bodyguard, as well as the flight crew, also lost their lives.

Iran's government decided on Monday that the country's 14th presidential election would be held on June 28, the official news agency IRNA reported.

The election date was determined in a meeting attended by Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, currently assuming the presidency, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, as well as Vice President for Legal Affairs Mohammad Dehqan and representatives of the Iranian Constitutional Council and Interior Ministry, the report said.

Members of the UN Security Council observed a minute of silence on Monday in memory of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage who were killed in a helicopter crash.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is saddened by the death of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and their colleagues in a helicopter accident, his chief spokesperson said on Monday.

"The Secretary-General expresses his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and to the Government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, added in a statement.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Monday appointed the country's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim president following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

Khamenei said that according to Article 131 of Iran's constitution, Mokhber would be appointed at the helm of the executive branch.

He stressed that Mokhber was duty-bound to, along with the parliament speaker and judiciary chief, make the arrangements for the election of the new president within 50 days.

Iranian media reports suggest Mokhber, who holds a doctorate in international law, was crucial in Iranian efforts to bypass Western sanctions on its oil industry.

The Associated Press reported that Mokhber has been a member of Iran's Expediency Council since 2022, which advises the supreme leader as well as settles disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council, Iran's constitutional watchdog that also oversees the country's elections.

He served as the head of the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order (EIKO) since 2007 and was appointed as Iran's first vice president by Raisi in 2021.

EIKO is a state-owned enterprise under the direct control of the country's Supreme Leadership Authority, led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

He was born in Dezful and has experience in numerous management positions. Along with his work at EIKO, he is involved in the establishment of the Barakat Foundation, the Ehsan Foundation, and the production of Iran's first COVID-19 vaccine.

He is reported to have visited Russia, along with senior military and security officials in 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called Mokhber on Monday as Moscow made clear Moscow's desire to preserve and build on its deepening relationship with Tehran despite the sudden death of Raisi.

"Both sides emphasized their mutual desire to further consistently strengthen comprehensive Russian-Iranian interaction for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries," the Kremlin said.

(With input from agencies)

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been declared dead at age 63. Rescue teams found his crashed helicopter in a fog-shrouded western mountain region early Monday.

All nine passengers aboard have been declared dead, including Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Follow CGTN's live updates on the situation here.

What happened to the helicopter?

Bad weather forced the helicopter carrying Raisi and other senior officials into a hard landing in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan on Sunday.

State media reported that images from the site showed the Bell 212 helicopter slammed into a mountain peak, although there has been no official word on the cause of the crash.

Iran's Red Crescent chief, Pirhossein Koolivand, has confirmed that its staff was "transferring the bodies of the martyrs to Tabriz" and that "the search operations have come to an end."

What happens next?

Under the country's constitution, if a president dies in office, the first vice president takes over for an interim period of 50 days, and a new presidential election is held at the end of the 50 days.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Monday that First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber is in charge of the executive branch and has a maximum of 50 days to hold elections following the death of Raisi, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported. 

Khamenei has also declared five days of national mourning.

After an emergency meeting, the country's cabinet issued a statement, pledging to follow Raisi's path and that "with the help of God and the people, there will be no problem with management of the country." The cabinet later appointed top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani as acting foreign minister.

International reaction

World leaders have expressed condolences over Raisi's death on Monday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed deep condolences, saying that since Raisi took office, he made important contributions to maintaining Iran's security and stability and promoting national development and prosperity. He added that Raisi also made positive efforts to consolidate and deepen the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Raisi as a "true friend of Russia" and said his death was an "irreplaceable loss," the Kremlin said.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday expressed sorrow over the death of "a great friend," saying that the Iranian president will be missed and remembered in Iran, Pakistan and the Islamic world for his efforts to enhance relations with regional and Islamic countries.

Lebanon and Syria on Monday announced three days of national mourning following the deaths.

Meanwhile, an Israeli official told Reuters it was not involved in the helicopter crash. "It wasn't us," said the official, who requested anonymity.

(With input from agencies)

This is the last photo of Ebrahim Raisi published on the official website of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. President Raisi died after a helicopter crashed in a mountainous terrain in East Azerbaijan Province amidst foggy weather on Sunday.

President Raisi paid a state visit to China from February 14 to 16, 2023. This was President Raisi's first visit to China during his term in office. The heads of state of China and Iran witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of agriculture, trade, tourism, environmental protection, health, disaster relief, culture and sports. During his visit, President Raisi also had exchanges with Chinese scholars. He delivered a speech at Peking University, where he was awarded the title of honorary professor.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday expressed condolences over the unfortunate deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter accident.

While meeting the press with Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu in Astana, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the Chinese side offers sincere condolences to their relatives, the Iranian government and the people.

Wang said President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian have made important contributions to promoting the development of China-Iran relations and friendly regional cooperation.

Noting that China has provided assistance for Iran's rescue efforts, and will continue to offer necessary support, Wang said it is believed that the Iranian government and people will have the ability to survive this difficult moment.

Read more: Xi Jinping expresses condolences over death of Iranian president

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber spoke over the phone about strengthening cooperation, Russian news agency RIA reported on Monday.

Mokhber, who was the first vice president, was appointed acting president on Monday after the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

Josep Borrell, high representative of the European Union (EU) for foreign affairs and security policy and vice president of the European Commission, on Monday offered his condolences over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other Iranian officials in a helicopter crash.

"The EU expresses its sympathies to the families of all the victims and to the Iranian citizens affected," he said in a statement.

Iran's official Press TV has declared Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister dead after a helicopter crash. Wang Jin, director of the Center for Israel Studies at Northwest University in Xi'an, says Iran will likely hold a presidential election soon to maintain political and economic stability.

Iran's government cabinet appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani as acting foreign minister on Monday following the death of Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash, the official news agency IRNA reported.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Monday that First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber is in charge of the executive branch and has a maximum period of 50 days to hold elections following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported.

Five days of national mourning have been declared by Khamenei.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei expressed his condolences on Monday following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, which also killed Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, according to state media.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Monday over the death of Ebrahim Raisi and said that he had been a true friend of Russia, according to the Kremlin.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday expressed his condolences for the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, saying Raisi was a "valuable colleague and brother."

The Iranian Red Crescent said on Monday that the bodies of President Ebrahim Raisi and others who died in a helicopter crash had been recovered, and search operations had ended. 

"We are in the process of transferring the bodies of the martyrs to Tabriz" in Iran's northwest, Red Crescent chief Pirhossein Koolivand told state TV, adding that "the search operations have come to an end." 

Iran's official Press TV has declared Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister dead after a helicopter crash. The helicopter carried nine people across mountain terrain and heavy fog in Iran's East Azerbaijan province before suffering a "hard landing."

The Iranian government will continue to operate "without the slightest disruption" following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, according to a cabinet statement released on Monday. 

"We assure the loyal nation that the path of service will continue with the tireless spirit of Ayatollah Raisi," the statement added.

There are currently no signs of survivors in the area of the helicopter accident in Iran. Iranian rescue teams used drones to survey the crash site. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was aboard the helicopter that crashed.

Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri confirmed on social media X the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in the helicopter crash.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian have been confirmed dead after their helicopter crashed in a mountainous region of East Azerbaijan province, Sabereen News, a Shia militia news channel, said on social media on Monday.

"Unfortunately it has been confirmed the martyrdom of Iranian President Ayatollah Sayyed Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Abdul Amir Hossein Abdullahian, and all members of the plane's crew," the media outlet affiliated with the Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia said on Telegram. 

There was no evidence that passengers survived after rescue teams reached the crash site of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter, Mehr news agency reported on Monday.

Search teams have found the location of the wreckage of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter, Tasnim news agency reported on Monday, citing Pir Hossein Kolivand, the head of Iranian Red Crescent Society. 

China is deeply concerned over the "hard landing" of the helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and hopes President Raisi and the others aboard are safe and sound, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement on Monday.

"We are closely following the situation and will provide all necessary support and assistance for Iran's rescue efforts," according to the statement. 

Nine people, including three officials, an imam and flight and security team members, were on the helicopter that crashed in northwestern Iran on Sunday, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported.

A Turkish drone has identified a source of heat suspected to be the wreckage of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the coordinates of the possible crash site have been shared with the Iranian authorities, Anadolu news agency reported on X.

Iran's Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri said on Sunday that contact had been established with one of the passengers and one of the crew members aboard the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

He told the state IRIB TV from an area near the possible scene of the incident, which occurred earlier in the day to the helicopter carrying Raisi and members of his accompanying team in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan.

An Iranian official said on Sunday that the "lives of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian are at risk" following the convoy helicopter incident, Reuters reported.

"We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning," the official said.

One of the helicopters in a convoy carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had a rough landing, the country's Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi confirmed to state TV on Sunday, adding that rescue teams are being hampered by difficult weather conditions.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was among passengers in the incident, state TV added.

The interior minister said some contacts had been made with the members of the president's accompanying team, but given that the region was a "complicated" one, establishing contacts was difficult.

Rescue teams were headed to the area to locate him and other officials, state media reported. "The harsh weather conditions and heavy fog have made it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the accident site," state TV said in an on-screen news alert.

The accident happened in the mountainous forest area of Dizmar near the town of Varzaghan, according to the official IRNA news agency.

Raisi, 63, was visiting the province on Sunday where he inaugurated a dam project. His convoy included three helicopters, and the other two had "reached their destination safely," according to Tasnim news agency.

(With input from agencies)

Initial reports indicate that a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi faced a rough landing, Iranian state TV said on Sunday, adding that rescue teams are on their way to the site.

Iranian media provided contradictory reports about the incident and there has been no official confirmation yet.