Iran has appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani as the Acting Foreign Minister following the tragic death of Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash. The announcement was made on Monday by Iranian government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi after a high-level meeting involving the executive, parliament, and judiciary branches.
Ali Bagheri Kani, who has served as Deputy Foreign Minister since September 2021, brings extensive experience to his new role. Prior to this, he was the Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council from 2007 to 2013. His appointment comes as part of a broader effort to ensure stability and continuity in Iran’s foreign policy during this period of national mourning.
In addition to this appointment, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has named First Vice President Mohammad Mokhbar as the interim president. This decision follows the confirmation of President Ibrahim Raisi's death in the same helicopter crash. Khamenei also declared five days of national mourning to honor the deceased leaders.
The helicopter, carrying President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, crashed in a mountainous and snow-covered area of East Azerbaijan province on Sunday. Poor visibility due to heavy rain and dense fog is believed to have contributed to the crash. The wreckage was discovered by search teams on Monday morning, confirming the deaths of all on board.
Supreme Leader Khamenei has instructed Mokhbar to take control of the government and oversee the organization of national elections within two months, as mandated by the Iranian constitution. This swift appointment and the planned elections aim to maintain governmental stability and continuity during this challenging time.
The Iranian government is now focusing on investigating the cause of the crash while addressing speculations and conspiracy theories surrounding the incident. The tragic loss of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian marks a significant moment in Iran's political landscape, with immediate steps being taken to ensure the nation's governance remains uninterrupted.
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