Iran’s top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announced on Monday, 20 May 2024, that the country would observe a five day mourning period for President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash. In an official statement released the day after Raisi and other Iranian officials died in the crash in East Azerbaijan Province, Khamenei said, “I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran.”

President Raisi passed away on Monday, 20 May 2024, following the crash of his helicopter in a country surrounded by mountains. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Foreign Minister, was traveling with Raisi when he too died in the collision.

Since Sunday afternoon, 19 May 2024, when the chopper carrying Raisi, the Foreign Minister, and other dignitaries vanished, rescue and search teams have been combing the area. Relief workers found the missing helicopter early on Monday, and State TV declared the President dead.

State television declared on Monday that Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi, “the servant of the Iranian nation, has achieved the highest level of martyrdom whilst serving the people,” and Mehr News Agency confirmed his death.

Images of President Raisi were shown on State television, accompanied by a man’s voice reading passages from the Koran. A phrase from the Koran that is meant to offer condolences was shared on X by Mohsen Mansouri, the Vice President of Executive Affairs for Iran.

Read Also: Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi Dies in Helicopter Crash