Iran President Helicopter Crash: What Happens When An Iran President Dies In Office?

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash, as confirmed by an Iranian official and reported by Mehr news agency on Monday. The tragic incident has triggered the constitutional process for presidential succession in Iran.

According to Article 131 of the Islamic Republic’s constitution, when an Iran president dies in office, the first vice president, currently Mohammad Mokhber, assumes the presidential duties. This transition requires the confirmation of the supreme leader, who holds ultimate authority over state matters in Iran. Following this, a council comprising the first vice president, the speaker of parliament, and the head of the judiciary is responsible for organizing a presidential election within a maximum of 50 days.

Raisi, who was elected Iran president in 2021, was originally scheduled to serve until a presidential election in 2025. However, due to his untimely death, the constitutional rules mandate that the election must now be expedited, likely taking place by early July.

The death of Iran President Raisi has not only plunged the nation into mourning but also set in motion a crucial political process to ensure the continuity of leadership in the country.