Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has announced five days of mourning following the death of the country’s President, Ebrahim Raisi.
Mr Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in a mountainous area of north-western Iran, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
State media confirmed they were killed after the helicopter they were travelling in came down on Sunday.
Ayatollah Khamenei said he offered his condolences “to the dear people of Iran”.
Mr Raisi, aged 63, had been tipped as a potential successor to the supreme leader.
Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed to assume interim duties after the death of the president.
Mr Mokhber will work with the heads of Iran’s legislature and judiciary to prepare for a presidential election within 50 days – a period of time set out in Iran’s constitution for replacing a president who dies in office.
Iran’s cabinet has also appointed deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani as acting foreign minister
