World Jun 28 Amid rising tensions in Mideast, polls close in Iran’s presidential election after hard-liner’s death The race’s sole reformist candidate vowed to seek “friendly relations” with the West in an effort to energize supporters in a vote beset by apathy. Voters faced a choice Friday between hard-line candidates and the little-known Masoud Pezeshkian. By Jon Gambrell, Nasser Karimi, Associated Press
World May 30 Iran opens registration for June presidential election after Raisi’s death The five-day period will see those between the ages of 40 to 75 with at least a master's degree register as potential candidates. All candidates ultimately must be approved by Iran's 12-member Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists… By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press
World May 23 Iran begins burial ceremony for late President Raisi and other victims of helicopter crash Iran on Thursday prepared to inter its late president at the holiest site for Shiite Muslims in the Islamic Republic, a final sign of respect for a protégé of Iran's supreme leader. By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press
World May 22 For Iranians overseas, hope mixes with anxiety after Raisi’s death Videos have shown some people celebrating outside Iranian diplomatic missions, but some Iranians abroad are still reluctant to give reporters their names for fear of reprisals. By Jill Lawless, Associated Press
May 21 Iran begins funeral events for President Raisi and others killed in helicopter crash By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Raisi, 63, had been discussed as a possible successor for Iran's supreme leader, the 85-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His death now throws that selection into question, particularly as there is no heir-apparent cleric for the presidency ahead of planned June… Continue reading
May 20 Iran’s president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash in moment of high tension for region By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say in the Shiite theocracy. He insisted the government was in control, but the deaths mark yet another blow to a country beset by pressures both at home and abroad. Continue reading
May 19 Watch 3:02 News Wrap: Rescue effort underway after helicopter with Iran president crashes In our news wrap Sunday, a rescue operation is underway after the helicopter carrying Iran’s President Raisi apparently crashed, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, President Biden tells Morehouse College graduates that he hears their… Continue watching
May 19 Helicopter carrying Iranian president apparently crashes, sparking rescue operation By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials apparently has crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of his country on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray. Continue reading
Jan 05 Iran mourns those killed in suicide blast claimed by Islamic State group By Amir Vahdat, Vahid Salemi, Jon Gambrell, Associated Press The funeral Friday came as the death toll in the attack rose to at least 89. Continue reading