Bodies of victims of plane crash carrying Iranian President found

On May 20, a representative of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said that the bodies of President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage in the plane crash a day earlier had been found, and announced that the search had ended.

Speaking on state television, IRCS Director Pirhossein Koolivand said the organization was transferring the victims' bodies to the Tabriz region in northwestern Iran.

On the same day, the Iranian Cabinet announced that the country's government will continue to function "without the slightest interruption" after President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash.

The First Vice President will take over from Mr. Ebrahim Raisi.

First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber is expected to take over as president after Raisi's death and Iran is set to hold early elections.

According to Iran's Constitution, the First Vice President takes over the leadership position in case the President dies, is fired, resigns, is absent or ill for more than two months.

Mokhber's temporary appointment still needs to be approved by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Presidential elections to choose a successor will be held in 50 days.

After Iran confirmed that President Raisi and several other officials were killed in a helicopter crash, countries expressed condolences over the incident and solidarity with Iran.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock at the news and expressed his condolences to the people and government of Iran. He affirmed that India stands in solidarity with Iran at this time of grief.

For his part, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the country would observe a day of mourning.

On social network X, Prime Minister Shehbaz wrote: “Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and fly its flag at half-mast to pay respect to President Raisi and his companions and to show solidarity with Iran.

I join the Government and people of Pakistan in sending our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iranian nation on this great loss.”

On the same day, the Lebanese government also announced three days of national mourning to commemorate the Iranian President and his entourage, including Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Similarly, leaders of Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Türkiye, Syria... also sent messages of condolences over the passing of the Iranian leader.