Iranian President Raisi Dies in Helicopter Crash at 63

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has died at the age of 63 in a helicopter crash, CNN confirmed, citing reports from Iranian news outlets.

The crash also claimed the lives of Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and seven others. Earlier reports by Media Talk Africa mentioned a helicopter carrying Raisi had a hard landing in a northern region, with his condition initially unknown.

Raisi’s death comes during a tense period in the Middle East, with ongoing conflict in Gaza. In response, Iran’s government convened an “urgent meeting” on Monday, according to the state news agency IRNA.