Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced on Monday five days of mourning for President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash. “I declare five days of public mourning and extend my condolences to the beloved people of Iran,” Khamenei stated, following the tragic death of Raisi and other officials in East Azerbaijan province.

President Raisi died on Monday when his helicopter crashed in a mountainous region. He was traveling with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who also lost his life in the accident. Rescue teams had been searching the area since Sunday afternoon after the helicopter carrying Raisi, the foreign minister, and other officials went missing.

Early Monday, relief workers found the helicopter and state TV confirmed the president's death. “The servant of the Iranian nation, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi, has achieved the highest level of martyrdom while serving the people,” state television announced, with Mehr news agency also confirming his death.

State television aired photos of Raisi, accompanied by a man reciting the Koran. Iran’s Vice President for Executive Affairs, Mohsen Mansouri, posted a Koranic verse on X to express condolences.