Following the tragic death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on Sunday afternoon, the heads of the three branches of the Iranian government have agreed on June 28 as the date for snap presidential elections, as reported by Press TV.
This decision was confirmed during a meeting held at the Presidency Office in Tehran, with the information cited from an IRNA news report by Press TV. The meeting was attended by Iran’s Head of the Executive Branch Mohammad Mokhber, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i. This gathering marked the second meeting between the three officials within hours of President Raisi’s tragic death in the East Azerbaijan province helicopter crash.
According to Article 131 of the Iranian Constitution, the country’s top three officials are required to arrange presidential elections within 50 days following the death or incapacitation of the sitting president.
Press TV reported that the Monday meeting also included the Iranian deputy president for legal affairs Mohammad Dehghan, deputy chairman of the Guardian Council Siamak Rahpeykand, and deputy interior minister for political affairs Mohammad Taghi Shahcheraghi. A timetable was established for the elections, with hopefuls able to register from May 30 to June 3, and candidates launching their campaigns for 15 days starting June 12.
The helicopter carrying Raisi and his entourage crashed on Sunday afternoon while en route to Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan, from a location on the border with the Republic of Azerbaijan where President Raisi had inaugurated a major dam project. Rescuers discovered the wreckage of the helicopter early on Monday after an extensive search involving more than 70 teams.
The crash also claimed the lives of Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, two senior provincial officials, crew members, and bodyguards. Following this tragic incident, the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, announced five days of national mourning in Iran, as reported by Press TV. Khamenei expressed his sorrow in a message on Monday, stating that he received the “bitter news” of the death of his “companions with great sorrow.”
“Dear Raeisi did not know fatigue,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, emphasizing that the Iranian nation lost a sincere and valuable servant in this tragic incident, according to Press TV.