Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, along with seven others, passed away on Sunday when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed near the Iranian-Azerbaijani border. The group, which included government officials and military personnel, had been attending the inauguration of a joint hydroelectric power project before departing towards Tabriz. Although Iranian officials reported fog and rain as contributing factors, details about the cause of the crash have yet to be confirmed. The tragic event is not only a blow to Iran's leadership but also to relations with neighbouring Azerbaijan.
According to reports, the campaign for former President Donald Trump said they were hacked by foreign sources possibly connected to Iran over the weekend. This comes after a recent report from Microsoft found evidence of Iranian hackers targeting a high-ranking official in the 2024 presidential campaign. Officials warn that Iran, along with other nations, remains a primary threat in terms of election interference and is using social media and other tactics to sow discord and undermine confidence in democratic institutions.
Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, was killed in an Israeli raid on his residence in Tehran, Iran on Wednesday. He had attended the inauguration of Iran's new president the day before. Hamas confirmed the death of Haniyeh and his bodyguard and mourned the loss, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guards stated that the cause of the attack is under investigation. This incident adds to the already tense relationship between Israel and Iran, and raises concerns about potential repercussions in the region.
In a statement from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he vowed "harsh punishment" for Israel after the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. This comes after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also vowed to make Israel "regret" the "cowardly" attack. The supreme leader and president both expressed their condemnation of the attack and promised revenge for the martyrdom of Haniyeh, calling him a "brave leader".
The head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was reportedly killed in an airstrike in Tehran shortly after attending the inauguration of Iran's new president. Hamas has blamed Israel for the assassination, while Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has launched an investigation. The attack has further heightened tensions between the two countries, with Hamas declaring Haniyeh a martyr and other political factions calling for strikes in protest. This incident adds to the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran, as well as the U.S.'s involvement in the conflict.
After over a decade of severed ties, Turkish President Erdogan has expressed his interest in restoring relations with Syrian President Assad during a flight back from Berlin. Both leaders, who had enjoyed a close personal relationship in the past, have signaled their willingness to normalize diplomatic relations amid regional tensions. This comes as Turkey faces pressure to repatriate millions of Syrian refugees and has recently faced anti-refugee sentiment within the country. Additionally, a lawsuit has been filed accusing Syria, along with Iran and North Korea, of supporting a recent attack by Hamas on Israel.
Low-profile candidate Masoud Pezeshkian emerges as Iran's new president, bringing hope to Iranians for less restrictions on social freedoms and a more pragmatic foreign policy. With his victory over hardline opponent Saeed Jalili, Pezeshkian is likely to be welcomed by world powers who hope he will ease tensions and revive the 2015 nuclear pact. While the president can't make major policy shifts on top state matters, Pezeshkian's promises for social liberalisation and political pluralism could bring much-needed change to Iran's Islamist orthodoxy.
In a shocking statement, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has accused the United States of causing the death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi. This comes after Raisi (63) died in a helicopter crash on May 19. Lukashenko, who is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, made these claims during a joint press conference with Putin. Despite Iran denying any wrongdoing in the crash, Lukashenko insists that the Western sanctions imposed on the country were the reason for Raisi's death.
After the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who was seen as an ally of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran's leader has appointed Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim President. This decision was made based on Article 131 of the Iranian Constitution, and Mokhber has been tasked with preparing for elections to choose a new President within 50 days. Watch the video for more information on this development.
The untimely death of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash has raised questions about the country's future leadership and its impact on the region. As a close neighbor, India will be closely watching the succession plan and its implications. Meanwhile, a retired Judge's admission of being a part of the RSS stirs controversy, while a tragic accident in Pune leaves two young lives lost.