Iranian state media reported the tragic news that President Ebrahim Raisi passed away on Monday following a helicopter crash in a mountainous area of the country.

Rescue teams had been diligently searching the region since Sunday afternoon when a helicopter transporting Raisi, the foreign minister, and other officials disappeared.

In the early hours of Monday, rescue workers located the missing helicopter, and state television announced the president's unfortunate demise.

"The servant of Iranian nation, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi has achieved the highest level of martyrdom whilst serving the people," state television said Monday.