Ali Bagheri assumes role as Iran’s acting foreign minister

Following the tragic helicopter crash involving Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, his deputy Ali Bagheri has been appointed as the acting head of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and chairman of the foreign relations committee.

As per an IRNA news agency report, Iranian government spokesperson Ali Bahadori Jahromi announced Bagheri’s appointment on Monday, May 20, under the directive of the first vice president.

Additionally, Iran’s religious leader, Ali Khamenei, conveyed his condolences for the passing of President Ibrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and their accompanying delegation, announcing five days of mourning.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared a day of mourning in solidarity with Iran, lowering the flag to half-mast.

Furthermore, condolences poured in from various nations including the Taliban, India, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Hamas, expressing sorrow over the loss of the president and his delegation.

ENDS