TEHRAN: In a high-level meeting chaired by Iran’s Interim President Mohammad Mokhbar, along with the Speaker of the Parliament and the heads of the Judiciary, it was decided to hold presidential elections in Iran on June 28.
Iranian media reported that the registration period for presidential candidates will be from May 30 to June 3, while the campaign period will run from June 12 to 27.
The elections are being organized following the sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.
Authorities have initiated an investigation into the helicopter accident. Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Army, has established an investigative committee led by Brigadier Ali Abdullahi. The committee members have arrived at the crash site to determine the cause of the incident.
The crash occurred on Sunday afternoon, with initial reports from Iranian media suggesting a technical fault, though specifics were not provided.
Former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif attributed the crash to US sanctions, which have impacted Iran’s aviation industry by preventing the sale of necessary equipment.
Mohammad Hassan Nami, head of Iran’s Disaster Management Organization, confirmed that despite the fire caused by the crash, the bodies of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and the other victims were identifiable, eliminating the need for DNA tests. He noted that Ayatollah Muhammad Ali Al-Hashim’s body was found in relatively good condition and that he had been alive for an hour after the crash, during which he spoke to Ghulam Hussain Ismaili, the head of the presidential office.
Pir Hossein, head of Iran’s Red Crescent Society, denied relying on foreign aid to locate the wreckage. He stated that all search and rescue operations were conducted by Iranian authorities and drones, with the wreckage being discovered early Monday morning.
