Following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, photos have emerged showing him just moments before the helicopter crash.
President Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border, officials and state media confirmed on Monday.
The crash occurred on Sunday, and rescuers found the charred wreckage early Monday after an overnight search amidst blizzard conditions.
Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six other passengers and crew were on board.
"President Raisi, the foreign minister, and all the passengers in the helicopter were killed in the crash," a senior Iranian official told Reuters, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Raisi's death was later confirmed by Vice President Mohsen Mansouri on social media and on state television.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed his condolences for the "martyrdom" of Raisi and his companions. He reassured Iranians that there would be no disruption to state affairs.
At a meeting on Monday, the three branches of Iran's government discussed the succession, with First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber expected to take over as interim president, as per the Islamic Republic's constitution.
A new presidential election is anticipated within 50 days, per BBC News.
Video footage from the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network showed President Raisi seated and facing an unknown aide inside the helicopter shortly before the journey started.
The helicopter crashed in the Varzeqan region north of Tabriz while Raisi was returning from an official visit to the Azerbaijani border. Raisi, 63, had been in office since 2021 and was known for enforcing strict morality laws and cracking down on anti-government protests.
The incident has intensified scrutiny on Iran's leadership amid growing internal dissent and international pressure over its nuclear program and military ties with Russia during the Ukraine war. Iran's ally Hamas, currently engaged in conflict with Israel, also expressed condolences.
Messages of condolence poured in from leaders worldwide, including Syria, Egypt, India, Iraq, Pakistan, the European Union, Italy, and Russia.
International responses included U.S. President Joe Biden being briefed, China expressing deep concern, and the European Union offering satellite mapping technology for the rescue efforts.
Raisi's death comes at a critical time for Iran, with many having seen him as a strong contender to succeed the 85-year-old Khamenei. Raisi's presidency had brought all branches of power under hardliner control after years of more moderate leadership.
Earlier on Sunday, Raisi had visited the Azerbaijani border to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, a joint project with Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, who had bid a "friendly farewell" to Raisi, offered assistance in the rescue efforts.