A helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan border has claimed the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

The incident has left Iran deeply divided, with some citizens mourning and others feeling a sense of Schadenfreude.

Raisi's conservative government faced criticism for restricting women's rights and cracking down on protests.

The upcoming presidential election on June 28 poses a challenge for the Iranian leadership, as voter turnout has been low in recent years.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, with poor weather and an outdated helicopter being cited as possible factors.

Official mourning will continue in Iran until Friday, with ceremonies and a funeral planned in Mashad.

The regime, dominated by hardliners and increasingly insular under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is likely to see another hardline figure close to Khamenei taking over in the upcoming election.

Despite uncertainty about leadership and future foreign policy decisions, international condolences have been offered, with notable absences from the US due to human rights concerns in Iran.