Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, 63, was confirmed dead Monday in what has been described as a “technical failure” more than 12 hours after reports first emerged Sunday that his helicopter had gone missing in the country’s northwest.
First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber quickly assumed the duties of president Monday, according to a statement from Iran’s Guardian Council that aired on state media. Iran’s cabinet also appointed Ali Bagheri Kani, previously the top nuclear negotiator, as the country’s acting foreign minister.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was also killed in the crash that killed Raisi, along with seven other people.
“The Iranian nation shouldn’t be worried. There will be no disruption to the operations of the country,” said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, according to the report.
