Iran appoints Ali Bagheri as acting FM following helicopter crash

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri, was appointed as the acting foreign minister on Monday, following the death of Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash.

Government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi announced Bagheri's appointment on state television.

Bagheri had been serving as deputy foreign minister under Amir-Abdollahian, making him a natural choice for the acting role.

The transition comes amid a period of mourning and adjustment for Iran's government, as it deals with the sudden loss of several high-ranking officials in the tragic accident.

Bagheri's appointment is expected to ensure continuity in Iran's foreign policy and ongoing diplomatic efforts, particularly concerning the country's nuclear negotiations.

Iranian media on Monday reported the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and his delegation after their helicopter crashed in a rugged mountainous area in northwest Iran. The helicopter, which went missing on Sunday, was found with "no sign" of life in the wreckage.

Read More: Iranian President Raisi, delegation die in helicopter crash

Mehr News Agency announced, "Mr. Ebrahim Raisi was martyred" along with Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdullahian.

Official media broadcast a picture of Raisi accompanied by verses from the Holy Quran, though an official announcement is still pending. Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other officials expressed condolences on social media.

State television reported that a Turkish drone located the crash site and alerted Iranian rescue teams. Head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Pir Hossein Kolivand, confirmed the discovery of the helicopter, stating, “The situation is not good.”