Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died at the age of 63 in a helicopter crash, Iran’s state TV reported on Monday.
Raisi, who was elected in 2021 and had a term until 2025, was the second most important person in Iran, after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Raisi was seen as Khamenei’s protégé and possible successor. His death is expected to lead to a fierce battle for his position.
The official Iranian press reported that the helicopter crashed in a mountainous area in Iran due to bad weather.
Raisi and other officials were returning from a visit to neighboring Azerbaijan.
The crash happened between the villages of Pir Davood and Uzi in East Azerbaijan province, about 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran.
In addition to Raisi, the crash also killed Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian.
The helicopter was also carrying Malek Rahmati, governor of East Azerbaijan province, and Hojjatoleslam Al Hashem, a religious leader.
The deaths of Rahmati and Al Hashem have not been confirmed, but earlier reports said there were no signs of survivors at the crash site.
