An election date for Iran's next president has been announced following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi. Voting is set for June 28th, with official announcements made. Authorities have also assembled a high-ranking team to investigate the presidential helicopter crash.
The fall of President Raisi's helicopter has been entrusted to a high-ranking delegation led by Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri. Brigadier Ali Abdullahi leads the team sent to the crash site, where investigations have commenced. According to Iranian news agencies, the investigation results will be announced once the mission concludes.
Explore further: Harsh weather, dense forests, and mountainous terrains… The challenging conditions of the Iranian President's helicopter crash.
When is Iran's Presidential Election?
News agency IRNA has informed that the presidential election in Iran will take place on June 28. Candidates can file nominations from May 30 to June 3, with campaigning permitted from June 12-27. Per Article 131 of the Iranian Constitution, the election must happen within 50 days. In the interim, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has appointed Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as acting chief.
Iran's President Perishes in Helicopter Crash
President Raisi was returning from inaugurating a dam on the border with Azerbaijan when his helicopter went down in northwest Iran's Varzakan. Also aboard the crashed helicopter were Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azerbaijan's Governor Malek Rahmati, and the head of Raisi's bodyguard team, Mehdi Mousavi.
The Supreme Leader's representative in the region, Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, was also in the helicopter. Local authorities present at the site have confirmed the martyrdom of Raisi and his team, as reported by Iranian news agency IRNA.
Related: The pattern of untimely deaths of Iranian leaders from Qasim Suleimani to Mohammad Reza Zahedi, now adding President Raisi to the list raises questions.
What does the US say about Raisi's Helicopter Crash?
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated on Monday that he is unaware of the cause of the helicopter crash. He mentioned that it may not have a significant immediate impact on regional security. Austin refrained from speculating about the crash's cause, explaining, "Certainly, I am aware that the Iranians would be or will be investigating, and we'll see what results from their investigation once it is complete."
