President of Iran Dies In Helicopter Crash

I hereby declare five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear Iranian nation.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the death of Iran’s president, foreign minister and others in a helicopter crash Sunday. Nine people reportedly died in the crash that took place in a mountainous area with thick fog.

Why It Matters: Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, 63, ruled over Iran as second in command to the Supreme Leader, seen often as his successor.

Described as a hard-line conservative, Raisi enforced strict adherence to Islamic law and oversaw Iran’s increasingly fraught relationship with the West, including the United States, and fostered a closer relationship with Russia and China.

Raisi’s death comes at a time of increased tensions in the Middle East, as the Israel-Hamas war continues and Iranian-proxies (terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and other militant groups in Iraq and Syria) have continued attacks on western positions and assets (i.e. cargo ships). Iran also participated in an unprecedented attack on Israel, shooting missiles and drones from Iranian territory at the Jewish state, which Iran has repeatedly threatened to destroy.

Tensions have also risen domestically in Iran in recent years with increased protests against the government – Raisi and others have responded with punishment of force, imprisonment and death.

Before Raisi became Iran’s president, he served as head of the country’s notorious judiciary branch. He was accused by human rights advocates of participating in a commission that oversaw the execution of children and 5,000 political prisoners in the late 1980s.

The country’s vice president will serve as president before an unexpected election in 50 days.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister confirmed dead in helicopter crash

Hamas, Houthis and Hezbollah mourn the death of Iran’s president

*Iran remains one of four U.S.-designated state sponsors of terrorism for its role supporting and aiding terrorists groups around the world.