With one of deadliest incidents in Iran's recent political history killing both President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the government in Tehran moved fast in appointing interim successors to both positions.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini appointed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as acting president on Monday, while the cabinet designated Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani as acting foreign minister, state media outlets reported.
Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian and several other officials were killed when their helicopter crashed in a mountainous area of northwest Iran. The men were declared dead after a search through the night that was hindered by difficult weather conditions.
Their interim successors have similar backgrounds in maintaining close relations with Russia and toeing hard-line policies.
