Cabinet issues statement after martyrdom of Iranian president

The ministers paid tribute to the late president for his tireless efforts in his post, saying President Raeisi devoted his life to the Iranian nation.

The ministers emphasized that they will vigorously keep to the path of President Raeisi to serve the country, assuring the Iranian people that there will be no disruption to the administrative affairs.

The tragic accident happened as the president and his entourage were returning from Khoda Afarin region in Iran’s northwestern province of East Azarbaijan after inaugurating a dam at the common border with the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The crash has led to the martyrdom of President Raeisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, Friday prayers leader of Tabriz Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Al-e-Hashem, Governor of East Azarbaijan province Malek Rahmati, and members of the president’s security team and the crew.

The wreckage of the helicopter was found by rescue teams in the wee hours of Monday.

According to the Iranian Constitution, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will be in charge of the cabinet of ministers, at the discretion of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, before the election of a new president.

The Constitution stipulates that a council consisting of the Parliament speaker, the Judiciary chief, and the first vice president should be formed and make arrangements for the election of a new president within 50 days.