Pakistan Declares National Mourning for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Helicopter Crash Victims

 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi gestures during a meeting with Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro at the Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela on June 12, 2023. — Reuters

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks during a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, at UN headquarters in New York City on April 18, 2024. — AFP/File

This frame grab from video released by the Iranian Red Crescent on May 20 shows a screen display showing a video showing the crash site of the missing helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi in East Azerbaijan province. — AFP

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared a national day of mourning in Pakistan on May 21 to honor Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other dignitaries who tragically died in a helicopter crash.

President Raisi, a key political figure and hardliner often viewed as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed when his helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border. Officials and state media confirmed the news earlier today.

The helicopter, which crashed on Sunday, was carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six other passengers and crew. The charred wreckage was discovered early Monday after a challenging overnight search through blizzard conditions.

### What We Know So Far:

- **Nine people were on board; no official word on the cause of the crash.**

- **Two other helicopters in the convoy landed safely, according to Iranian media.**

- **Pakistan will observe a day of mourning with flags flying at half-mast.**

- **Rescue teams faced severe blizzards and difficult terrain during their night-long search, aided by other countries.**

- **First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will serve as interim president.**

The Cabinet Division of Pakistan issued a notification stating, "In an expression of fraternal solidarity on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan with the government and people of Iran on the sad demise of the President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi and other dignitaries, the prime minister has declared Tuesday, May 21, as a day of national mourning in Pakistan." As a result, the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout the country.

In response to the tragic incident, Iran’s military chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri, has ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash. The ISNA news agency reported that Bagheri has appointed a high-ranking committee to conduct this investigation.

Supreme Leader Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority over Iran's foreign policy and nuclear program, announced that First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume the role of interim president. "I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran," Khamenei stated. Mokhber, like Raisi, is considered a close ally of Khamenei.

According to Iran’s constitution, a new presidential election must be held within 50 days.

Footage from Iranian state television showed the wreckage scattered across a foggy hillside. Separate images from IRNA depicted Red Crescent workers carrying a covered body on a stretcher. All passengers and crew aboard the helicopter were confirmed dead, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

This tragic event has not only shaken Iran but also prompted expressions of solidarity and mourning from neighboring countries, underscoring the profound impact of President Raisi’s death on the region.

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