Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi killed in helicopter crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and all other passengers have died in the helicopter crash in northwest Iran. Executive Vice President Mohsen Mansouri confirmed the news of the 63-year-old president’s death on Monday morning, describing him as a “beacon of hope”. “On behalf of myself and other members of the government, I offer my condolences to the Supreme Leader, the Leader of the Revolution, and the people for the tragic loss of Ayatollah Raisi and his companions, who have attained martyrdom,” he said. “Ayatollah Raisi was our beacon of hope, a man of jihad, struggle, and tireless work.” The other passengers on the flight included Ayatollah Al-Hashem Imam of Tabriz, Malek Rahmati, Governor of East Azerbaijan, General Seyed Mehdi Mousavi, Head of the President’s Protection Unit, an Ansar al-Mahdi Corps of IRGC force, a pilot, a co-pilot, and a technical officer. The helicopter crashed on Sunday while crossing mountainous terrain