In the summer of 2024, Iran entered a turbulent and uncertain period following the sudden death of President Raisi. Streets were filled with mourning and silence, while media sought to maintain order. As society grappled with confusion and fear, an unexpected outcome emerged: the election of Masoud Pezeshkian. This photo series captures the moments of doubt, anticipation, and political change, documenting the transition from a power vacuum to an unforeseen decision, as the nation faced its new reality in quiet yet impactful ways.
Log in to hire Rouzbeh
Election After Death
Location: Germany
Nationality: Iran
Focus:
Photojournalist
Covering:
Middle East,
Clients:
ZUMA PRESS
1 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
An Iranian veiled woman cries during a mourning ceremony for President Ebrahim Raisi at Vali-e-Asr Square in downtown Tehran. Iranian President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and others died in a helicopter crash on May 19, 2024, after an official visit near the border with Azerbaijan. The Iranian government confirmed the deaths and announced five days of public mourning. Tehran Iran
2 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
An Iranian veiled woman cries during a mourning ceremony for President Ebrahim Raisi at Vali-e-Asr Square in downtown Tehran. Iranian President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and others died in a helicopter crash on May 19, 2024, after an official visit near the border with Azerbaijan. The Iranian government confirmed the deaths and announced five days of public mourning. Tehran Iran
3 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
An Iranian couple looks at a video mapping of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (L) and the late Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) project onto the Azadi (freedom) tower in western Tehran. Iranian President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and others died in a helicopter crash on May 19, 2024, after an official visit near the border with Azerbaijan. The Iranian government confirmed the deaths and announced five days of public mourning. Tehran Iran
4 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian officials adjust the coffin of late President Ebrahim Raisi during a funeral procession ceremony at the Mossallah mosque in Tehran. Raisi was confirmed dead along with his foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and six others on May 20, 2024, after search and rescue teams found their crashed helicopter in a fog-shrouded mountain region in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, sparking mourning in the Islamic Republic. Tehran Iran
5 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian women mourn during a funeral procession ceremony at the Mossallah mosque in Tehran. Raisi was confirmed dead along with his foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and six others on May 20, 2024, after search and rescue teams found their crashed helicopter in a fog-shrouded mountain region in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, sparking mourning in the Islamic Republic. Tehran Iran
6 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian mourners hold posters of late President Ebrahim Raisi during a funeral procession ceremony at the Mossallah mosque in Tehran. Raisi was confirmed dead along with his foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and six others on May 20, 2024, after search and rescue teams found their crashed helicopter in a fog-shrouded mountain region in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, sparking mourning in the Islamic Republic. Tehran Iran
7 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
An Iranian veiled woman holds a poster during a funeral ceremony for the late President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions, who were killed during a helicopter crash in a mountainous region of the country's northwest in Tehran. Iran's supreme leader presided over the funeral Wednesday for the country's late president, foreign minister, and others killed in the helicopter crash, as tens of thousands later followed a procession of their caskets through the capital, Tehran. Tehran Iran
8 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian veiled women attend a funeral ceremony for the late President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions who were killed during a helicopter crash on Sunday in a mountainous region of the country's northwest, in Tehran. Iran's supreme leader presided over the funeral Wednesday for the country's late president, foreign minister, and others killed in the helicopter crash, as tens of thousands later followed a procession of their caskets through the capital, Tehran. Tehran Iran
9 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian veiled women in black Chadors mourn during the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions, who were killed in a helicopter crash, commemoration ceremony in Tehran. Raisi and seven members of his entourage, including the foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, were killed in a helicopter crash on a fog-shrouded mountainside in Iran on May 19. Tehran Iran
10 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian reformist candidate MASSOUD PEZESHKIAN reacts as he attends a meeting with Tehran University students as part of his election campaigning in Tehran. Iran is holding a new presidential election on June 28 following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others in a helicopter crash. Iran's Guardian Council on June 9 approved the country's hard-line parliament speaker and five others to run in the country's presidential election. Tehran Iran
11 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Former Iranian top nuclear negotiator SAEED JALILI, a June 28 presidential election candidate, waves to his supporters as he arrives at a campaign meeting in Tehran. Following the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others on May 19, Iran is preparing for an upcoming election. Tehran Iran
12 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian reformist candidate MASOUD PEZESHKIAN (L) for Iran's June 28 presidential election holds up the hand of former Iranian Foreign Minister MOHAMMAD JAVAD ZARIF (R) as Zarif flashes a victory sign during a campaign meeting in Tehran. Following the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others on May 19, Iran is preparing for an upcoming election. Tehran Iran
13 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian presidential reformist candidate MASOUD PEZESHKIAN (C-bottom) flashes a victory sign during his election campaign meeting at Shiroudi Stadium in Tehran. Iran's Guardian Council has approved six candidates to compete in the upcoming presidential election to succeed the late President Ebrahim Raisi. President Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash alongside seven other officials back in May. The presidential election is scheduled to be held on 28 June 2024. Tehran Iran
14 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
An Iranian woman crosses a street in downtown Tehran. Iran's Guardian Council has approved six candidates to compete in the upcoming presidential election to succeed the late President Ebrahim Raisi. President Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash alongside seven other officials back in May. The presidential election is scheduled to be held on 28 June 2024. Tehran Iran
15 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
An Iranian supporter of Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate for Iran's 28 June presidential election, flashes a victory sign during an election campaign meeting at Shiroudi Stadium in Tehran. Iran's Guardian Council has approved six candidates to compete in the upcoming presidential election to succeed the late President Ebrahim Raisi. President Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash alongside seven other officials back in May. The presidential election is scheduled to be held on 28 June 2024. Tehran Iran
16 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
A supporter of a reformist candidate for Iran's June 28 presidential election, Masoud Pezeshkian, holds up a poster of Mirhossein Mousavi, under house arrest once opposition leader in late 2000s, during an election campaign meeting at Shiroudi Stadium in Tehran. Iran's Guardian Council has approved six candidates to compete in the upcoming presidential election to succeed the late President Ebrahim Raisi. President Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash alongside seven other officials back in May. The presidential election is scheduled to be held on 28 June 2024. Tehran Iran
17 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
A portrait of Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the main leader of the Iranian Revolution, and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian Supreme Leader, is pictured on the wall just before the election campaign meeting of the Iranian reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian for Iran's June 28 presidential election at Jamaran Hussainiya in Tehran. After the helicopter crash that resulted in the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others on May 19, Iran is getting ready for an upcoming election. Tehran Iran
18 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iran's parliament speaker, MOHAMMAD BAGHER GHALIBAF (C), the most prominent candidate for the upcoming presidential election, speaks during an election campaign rally at Shiroudi Stadium in Tehran. After the helicopter crash that resulted in the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others on May 19, Iran is getting ready for an upcoming election. Tehran Iran
19 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah ALI KHAMENEI waves after casting his vote during Iran's 2024 early Presidential elections at Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyeh polling station in downtown Tehran. Iranians are set to cast their votes on June 28 to choose a new president following the helicopter crash that claimed the life of conservative president Ebrahim Raisi last month. Tehran Iran
20 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian presidential reformist candidate MASOUD PEZESHKIAN (C) waves to the media before casting his vote during Iran's 2024 early presidential elections at Firouzabadi Hospital polling station in Shahre Ray, southern Tehran. Following the helicopter crash that claimed the life of conservative president Ebrahim Raisi, Iranians vote on June 28 to choose a new president. Around 61 million Iranians are eligible to participate in the election. Ray Iran
21 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
An Iranian child girl looks at her mother as veiled women line up to vote during Iran's 2024 early Presidential elections at Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine polling station in Shahre Ray, southern Tehran. Following the helicopter crash that claimed the life of conservative president Ebrahim Raisi, Iranians vote on June 28 to choose a new president. Around 61 million Iranians are eligible to participate in the election. Ray Iran
22 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
An Iranian cleric man fills out his ballot during Iran's 2024 early Presidential elections at Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine polling station in Shahre Ray, southern Tehran. Following the helicopter crash that claimed the life of conservative president Ebrahim Raisi, Iranians vote on June 28 to choose a new president. Around 61 million Iranians are eligible to participate in the election. Ray Iran
23 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian presidential election candidate SAEED JALILI (C), a former Iranian top nuclear negotiator, waves to supporters among the crowd during a meeting with a group of businessmen and marketers as a part of his campaign event at the Grand Bazaar in southern Tehran. Conservative Jalili will compete against reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian in a runoff presidential election on July 5 to replace the late hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi. Tehran Iran
24 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator SAEED JALILI (C) waves to supporters during a campaign rally two days before a presidential election runoff following a first round marked by a historically low turnout in Tehran. Iran's upcoming presidential runoff on July 5 will feature reformist Masoud Pezeshkian against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili. Approximately 61 million eligible voters are set to participate following the death of ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Tehran Iran
25 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
An Iranian veiled woman takes a selfie in front of a large poster of the late president Ebrahim Raisi (R) and Iranian ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili (L) during Jalili's election campaign, two days before a presidential election runoff following a first round marked by a historically low turnout in Tehran. Iran's upcoming presidential runoff on July 5 will feature reformist Masoud Pezeshkian against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili. Approximately 61 million eligible voters are set to participate following the death of ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Tehran Iran
26 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian women flash victory signs during Iranian ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili's election campaign, two days before a presidential election runoff following a first round marked by a historically low turnout in Tehran. Iran's upcoming presidential runoff on July 5 will feature reformist Masoud Pezeshkian against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili. Approximately 61 million eligible voters are set to participate following the death of ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Tehran Iran
27 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah ALI KHAMENEI (R) leaves after casting his vote for the presidential runoff election at Imam Khomeini Hosseinieh polling station in downtown Tehran. Iran's presidential runoff election on July 5 features reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian facing ultraconservative Saeed Jalili. It aims to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a May helicopter crash. Tehran Iran
28 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian women line up to vote for the presidential runoff election at Imamzadeh Saleh polling station in northern Tehran. On July 5, reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian is facing ultraconservative Saeed Jalili. The election aims to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a May helicopter crash. Tehran Iran
29 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Iranian women line up to vote for the presidential runoff election at Imamzadeh Saleh polling station in northern Tehran. On July 5, reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian is facing ultraconservative Saeed Jalili. The election aims to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a May helicopter crash. Tehran Iran
30 of 31
© 2025 Rouzbeh Fouladi
Newly elected Iranian President MASOUD PEZESHKIAN (C) speaks as former foreign minister MOHAMMAD JAVAD ZARIF (L) stands next to him at a meeting a day after the presidential election at the shrine of the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Khomeini in southern Tehran. The Ministry of Interior has confirmed that Pezeshkian, a proponent of enhanced Western relations, secured victory in a runoff presidential election against the ultraconservative Saeed Jalili on July 6. Tehran Iran
Close
Public Project
Election After Death
Copyright
Rouzbeh Fouladi
2025
Updated May 2025
Topics
Spotlight
Summary
Following a fatal helicopter crash on May 17, 2024, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several top officials were killed. In a snap election held in July, reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won the presidency, defeating hardliner Saeed Jalili.
In the summer of 2024, Iran entered a turbulent and uncertain period following the sudden death of President Raisi. Streets were filled with mourning and silence, while media sought to maintain order. As society grappled with confusion and fear, an unexpected outcome emerged: the election of Masoud Pezeshkian. This photo series captures the moments of doubt, anticipation, and political change, documenting the transition from a power vacuum to an unforeseen decision, as the nation faced its new reality in quiet yet impactful ways.
536
