Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has expressed deep condolences to the Iranian nation following the martyrdom of President Ebrahim Raeisi and his companions in a helicopter crash.

In a heartfelt message on Monday, Ayatollah Khamenei announced five days of national mourning. He conveyed his profound sorrow upon hearing the bitter news of the passing of the "popular, competent, and hardworking president" and his team, noting that the tragic accident occurred while they were on a mission to serve the Iranian people.

Ayatollah Khamenei praised President Raeisi for his tireless dedication to the country and its citizens, emphasizing that his efforts were always aimed at serving the people, the nation, and Islam. He remarked on Raeisi’s unwavering commitment and the fact that he never succumbed to fatigue, highlighting the nation’s loss of a sincere and valuable servant.

The Leader also acknowledged the loss of other prominent figures in the crash, including Seyyed Mohammad Ali Al-e Hashem, the Friday Prayers leader of Tabriz; Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian; East Azarbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati; and the helicopter crew.

Following the incident, Ayatollah Khamenei invoked Article 131 of the Constitution, which mandates Vice President Mohammad Mokhber to temporarily manage the executive branch. He urged Mokhber to coordinate with the heads of the three government branches to organize the election of a new president within 50 days.

The helicopter carrying President Raeisi, his delegation, and crew crashed in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan on Sunday due to harsh weather conditions. After an extensive night-long search, their bodies were recovered on Monday.