What happens if an Iranian president dies in office?
This handout picture provided by the Iranian Presidency shows Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi addressing the media.
Rescuers in Iran were racing on Sunday to find the crash site of a helicopter that was carrying President Ebrahim Raisi to find out the fate of all those on board. Below is brief outline of what Iran's constitution says happens if a president is incapacitated or dies in office:
* According to article 131 of the Islamic Republic's constitution, if a president dies in office the first vice president takes over, with the confirmation of the supreme leader, who has the final say in all matters of state.
* A council consisting of the first vice president, the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary must arrange a election for a new president within a maximum period of 50 days.
Raisi was elected president in 2021 and, under the current timetable, presidential elections are due to take place in 2025.
