Iran confirms President Ebrahim Raisi has died

Earlier, a helicopter suspected of carrying Iranian President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian crashed in East Azerbaijan province after a visit to the Azerbaijan border.

Dozens of search and rescue teams have been deployed to the area where the incident is suspected to have occurred. As of early morning on May 20, the Iranian Red Crescent said it had identified the area where the helicopter crashed, and even had images of the helicopter wreckage near the village of Tavil, about 100km from the city of Tabriz, according to Al Jazeera.

The head of the Iranian Red Crescent said the helicopter was burned out and the situation was “not good.” The organization later told media that there were “no signs” of anyone alive.

In addition to the Iranian president and foreign minister, East Azerbaijan leader Malek Rahmati was also among those who were "martyred" in Iran's words.

Tasnim reported that the helicopter suspected of carrying the Iranian president that crashed on May 19 had nine people on board, including three officials, an Islamic leader, and security and flight crew members.

Specifically, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) publication Sepah listed them as President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Province leader Malek Rahmati, Imam Mohammad Ali Alehashem, a pilot, a co-pilot, a crew chief, a security chief and a bodyguard.