Rescue teams discovered the charred wreckage of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several other high-ranking government officials after more than 10 hours of searching the rugged terrain in near zero visibility.
There were no survivors.
Many considered Raisi, a hardliner in Tehran who ruthlessly suppressed dissent throughout his career, as a likely successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran launched an unprecedented strike involving ballistic missiles and suicide drones against Israel last month.
A senior Israeli official told Reuters that Israel was not involved in Sunday’s crash.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, along with six other passengers and crew, also died in the incident.
Khamenei announced Monday that the Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will serve as the acting president until elections can be held.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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