Announces Five Days Of Mourning Over The Death Of President Raisi, Khamenei: Iran Loses A Humble And Friendly Servant

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Wikimedia Commons/Khamenei.ir)

JAKARTA - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei mourns the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, saying the accident he experienced was a bitter tragedy.

Khamenei announced five days of public mourning after President Raisi died in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran.

In a message issued on Monday morning, Khamenei expressed his deep sorrow over the death of President Raisi in an incident that occurred in East Azerbaijan Province of Iran the day before.

Iran's Supreme Leader described the late Raisi as a hard-working cleric and a popular president who devoted his life to serving the Iranian people, state and Islam.

"In this bitter tragedy, the Iranian people lost a servant who was friendly, humble, and valuable," said Ayatollah Khamenei, quoted from IRNA on May 20.

He said President Raisi never stopped working hard and working around the clock for the Iranian people despite criticism from sympathizers.

On that occasion, Khamenei also offered his condolences to the Iranian people, and approved Vice President Mohammad Mokhber to take over the post-presidential office, in collaboration with the chairman of parliament and Iranian courts to prepare the foundation for the new presidential election in the next 50 days.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also expressed his sadness over the death of another senior official accompanying President Raisi in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

In addition to the two, the helicopter also brought East Azarbaijan Governor Michel Rahmati, Friday prayer leader in Tabriz Seyyed City Mohammad Ali Al-e Hashem, and presidential guard team member Mahdi Mousavi. Pilots, co-pilots, and helicopter crews were also in the helicopter.