Iran declares five days of mourning for president - as US says he has 'blood on his hands'
SUMMARY
Funeral processions are scheduled for President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who were among eight people killed in a helicopter crash in Iran's East Azerbaijan province due to foggy conditions. The crash's wreckage was found on Monday morning, over 12 hours after the incident. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared five days of national mourning. The bodies will be flown to Qom, then Tehran for congregational prayers led by Khamenei, and Raisi will be buried in Mashhad on Thursday. The crash also claimed the lives of three crew members and other officials. US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller remarked on Raisi’s controversial past, citing his involvement in human rights abuses. Despite Raisi’s death, Miller stated that US policy towards Iran would remain unchanged. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber is temporarily in charge, with new elections mandated within 50 days.
