Iran’s President Raisi, Foreign Minister killed in helicopter crash

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian have died in a helicopter crash.

A total of nine people, including a Provincial Governor, were on board when the aircraft went down in Northern Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. They all are believed to be dead.

As the country mourns, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says there will be no disruptions to how Iran is run.

Iran’s Vice President will assume the powers of the Presidency and new elections will be held within 50 days.

Meanwhile, a black banner has been flown on top of the dome of Fatima Masumeh Shrine in the Holly City of Qom following the helicopter crash, according to Qom News.

Qom is considered the second holiest city in Iran next to Mashhad and is also the centre of Shia religious studies.

The shrine itself honours Fatima Masumeh, sister of Imam Reza and daughter of Imam Musa al-Kadhim, both important figures in Shia Islam.

According to Qom News, a black banner was also flown at the top of the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad.