00:00 In a tragic turn of events, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi lost his life in a helicopter
00:13 crash on Sunday afternoon.
00:16 This heartbreaking incident has prompted immediate action from Iran's government.
00:21 Heads of the three branches of Iranian government have announced that snap presidential elections
00:26 will be held on June 22.
00:30 This decision was confirmed during a meeting at the Presidency Office in Tehran reported
00:35 by Press TV and IRNA News Agency.
00:39 The meeting saw the presence of key figures - Iran's head of the executive branch, Mohammad
00:44 Mokhber, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Judiciary Chief Olam Hossein
00:51 Mohseni.
00:52 This gathering marked the second meeting between these officials within hours of President
00:58 Raisi's tragic demise.
01:00 According to Article 131 of the Iranian Constitution, the country's top three officials are required
01:07 to organize presidential elections within 50 days following the death or incapacitation
01:14 of the sitting president.
01:16 During the meeting on Monday, Deputy President for Legal Affairs Mohammad Dehghan, Deputy
01:21 Chairman of the Gharijan Council Siamak Rahpekant and Deputy Interior Minister for Political
01:27 Affairs Mohammad Taghi were also in attendance.
01:32 A timetable for the elections has been set with hopeful candidates able to register from
01:38 May 30 to June 3.
01:40 Campaigns will officially launch on June 12, giving candidates 15 days to present their
01:47 platforms to the public.
01:49 The fatal accident/helicopter crash occurred while President Raisi and his entourage were
01:55 en route to Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan province, from a border location where Raisi
02:01 had inaugurated a major dam project.
02:04 The crash site was located early Monday morning after extensive search efforts involving more
02:10 than 70 rescue teams.
02:12 In addition to President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahi, two senior provincial
02:17 officials and several crew members and bodyguards also perished in the crash.
02:23 In response to the national tragedy, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Saeed Ali Khamenei
02:29 has declared five days of national mourning.
02:32 As the nation comes to the terms with this devastating loss, preparations for the upcoming
02:38 elections are underway, ensuring the continuation of leadership and governance in Iran.
02:44 [Music]
