iranians have been urged to pray for their leaders, gathering in droves in the president's home city following pleas from the state media. hello. welcome to the programme. i'm nicky schiller. we will have more on the situation in iran. but in the premier league, manchester city have just retained the title. katiejoins manchester city have just retained the title. katie joins us live. yes. the title. katie “oins us live. yes, history has — the title. katie joins us live. yes, history has been _ the title. katie joins us live. yes, history has been made _ the title. katie joins us live. yes, history has been made here - the title. katie joins us live. ye: history has been made here at the etihad. it is the first time in 135 years of the english top flight that a team has won four consecutive league titles and you can hear what it means to these city fans. six titles in seven seasons. just underlining their dominance of the english game. and there was a feeling i think even before kick—off

among these fans that this would be coronation day. they started the day two points ahead of arsenal and through phil foden, they made a near instant impact. there was just 79 seconds on the clock when he struck from distance to put city ahead. the recently crowned best player in the premier league was at it again 15 minutes later when he doubled city hazmat lead, he scored his 19th of the season in the league. he is having the best season of his career at city —— doubled city's lead. that got city up and running. west ham barely had the government —— the ball, but they got the ball back at half—time, a fantastic overhead kick to make it 2—1 to go into the break and that injected jeopardy into the game. but if there were nerves among the city players, rodri circle —— settled them in the second half to make it 3—121. west ham thought they had clawed a goal back, but the goal

of tomas soucek was ruled out for a handball. 3—1 it has finished at the etihad, they are getting ready to present the trophy to pep guardiola. history made for manchester city. i'm just seeing the fans have invaded the pitch. the announcer is calling in vain for them not to do that. and your colleague simon stone who is inside the etihad says there are thousands of people on the pitch and there is no trophy presentation here for a while. it sounds like the fans really are celebrating inside. well, yes. if they are on the pitch, it will clearly be some time before city get their hands on that trophy. they knew that they were within touching distance of history here at the etihad. they have done something that the great teams of the past, the likes of huddersfield in the 19205 the likes of huddersfield in the 1920s and liverpool in the 1980s and manchester united in the 1990s under sir alex ferguson, haven't been able

to do, and that is secure four league titles in a row. i think for many, there may still be a cloud over the achievements of city and questions over how the foundations of this success had been built, with those outstanding premier league charges against them. it has been over a year since they were charged by the premier league with 115 alleged breaches of financial rules. and until that is concluded, i think some people feel there is a cloud over this achievement. but a hearing has not been set for that yet. in the meantime, city will get their hands on this trophy. i should say city strongly denied those charges as well. and there could be more silverware on the way for manchester city. they are of course in the fa cup final next weekend against manchester united, so more celebrations potentially to come. i am seeing the city players are hugging and celebrating down the tunnel. but as i mentioned, there are thousands of people still on the

pitch. i suppose we should also mention that at the other end, the results mean that luton town have been relegated from the premier league, having only, last season. == league, having only, last season. -- one u- league, having only, last season. » gone up last season. yes, i think it was always still mathematically possible for them going into the final day of the season. but luton were resigned to relegation today. nottingham forest had a superior goal difference and have done enough to stay up. but it has been a season to stay up. but it has been a season to rememberfull luton. from humble beginnings, they got promoted to the premier league and they hope it won't be too long until they are back. �* , ., ., ., back. and we should also mentioned it is our feeders _ back. and we should also mentioned it is our feeders into _ back. and we should also mentioned it is our feeders into jurgen - back. and we should also mentioned it is our feeders into jurgen klopp i it is ourfeeders intojurgen klopp today. because liverpool beat wolves 2-0 today. because liverpool beat wolves 2—0 —— today. because liverpool beat wolves 2-0 -- it is

today. because liverpool beat wolves 2—0 —— it is goodbye tojurgen klopp. i am just seeing a ban was held up in the cup saying danke. it has been quite a leadership for jurgen klopp, but not ending this year with the premier league title. no, of course, liverpool finishing third in the premier league. they would have loved that fairy tale sent off forjurgen klopp. and for some time, they were in this premier league title race, but they fell off towards the end. didn't quite get that fairy tale ending. they did win the league cup this season, jurgen klopp says that was one of his proudest moments as liverpool manager with the youth they had in that side and the young players on the pitch against —— at wembley. so he does go away with a trophy, but it is a day liverpool fans didn't really want to see. jurgen klopp has turned around the fortunes of liverpool from doubters into believers. he oversaw champions league victory back in 2019. he

oversaw theirfirst league victory back in 2019. he oversaw their first premier league title and the first league title in over 30 years, which was the one really that liverpool craved, liverpool fans craved more than anything else. so they will remember him so fondly at anfield. he is a legend in their eyes. the manager to rank alongside the greats of bob paisley, bill shankly and they will have wanted him to stay. but he said he time her, liverpool, he left on his own terms, he says he is exhausted and needs a break. he will surely be back in football be taught —— before too long and their new manager will take over from jurgen klopp. but for now, they will celebratejurgen klopp and everything he achieved at liverpool and say thank you to the great man. so let's go back to the news that manchester city are the premier league champions again. the blue half of manchester will be certainly celebrating, but the red half

certainly not because it has not been a great season at all for manchester united. they finished eighth in the league, didn't they? they did, it has been a very difficult season for manchester united. they have spent lots of money on that squad, there have been ups and downs for them. they will be in the final of the fa cup or of course, so it could still end on a high. but for eric ten hag, there has been speculation around his future all season, particularly with the takeover that happened and ineos coming in as minority owners but with control over football operations and they have been taking a look at everything to do with manchester united and have largely not liked what they have seen. the squad is disjointed. there are some great young players and prospects for the future, but it is a team struggling. a team that has fallen from some great heights of course under alex ferguson and it is a team

that will look across at manchester city, wanting to emulate their success, although they would not want to admit it. and they are trying to set up their team now more in the image of manchester city. so difficult season for manchester united. it will be interesting to see how the summer goes for them. you are live outside the etihad stadium, thank you very much indeed. the breaking sports news if you are joining us is manchester city are premier league champions again for a record fourth time. let's cross to manchester and speak to james edney. he has the blue on, he is a manchester city fan. james, your reaction? 0h. — manchester city fan. james, your reaction? oh, it— manchester city fan. james, your reaction? oh, it is— manchester city fan. james, your reaction? oh, it isjust _ manchester city fan. james, your reaction? oh, it isjust absolute i reaction? oh, it isjust absolute delight. what can you say? i have friends of other teams saying, do you get sick of it? i'm not sure how you get sick of it? i'm not sure how you can get sick of winning. it is just an amazing feeling, every time we do it is like the first time. what do you think it is about the

team that has meant that you have clinched this fourth title? just team that has meant that you have clinched this fourth title?— clinched this fourth title? just pep guardiola, that _ clinched this fourth title? just pep guardiola, that manager. - clinched this fourth title? just pep guardiola, that manager. i - clinched this fourth title? just pep guardiola, that manager. i think. guardiola, that manager. i think thatis guardiola, that manager. i think that is the sole focus of absolutely everything we do well, the manager. we have seen absolutely amazing teams across history, winning league titles and may be winning again. it all comes down to, do you have a setup in place and a manager who is going to keep pushing these players on every single time? and he doesn't let up, he is relentless and we were absolutely blessed to have someone like him managing our team. absolutely blessed to have someone like him managing ourteam. you absolutely blessed to have someone like him managing our team. you have not some like him managing our team. you have got some good — like him managing our team. you have got some good players _ like him managing our team. you have got some good players as _ like him managing our team. you have got some good players as well, - got some good players as well, though. phil foden has had a great season this year, hasn't he? yes. though. phil foden has had a great season this year, hasn't he? yes, it hels as season this year, hasn't he? yes, it helps as well _ season this year, hasn't he? yes, it helps as well we _ season this year, hasn't he? yes, it helps as well we have _ season this year, hasn't he? yes, it helps as well we have absolutely i helps as well we have absolutely amazing players. for a manchester lad and someone that has come through the academy at eight years old, we are a team that consign and have signed the best players around the world. but now our most important player is a lad from stockport who has come from eight

years old all the way through and it gives the kind of connection with the fans, more so than maybe any of the fans, more so than maybe any of the other players. pond the fans, more so than maybe any of the other players— the other players. and they do seem to en'o the other players. and they do seem to enjoy playing _ the other players. and they do seem to enjoy playing when _ the other players. and they do seem to enjoy playing when you _ the other players. and they do seem to enjoy playing when you watch - the other players. and they do seem l to enjoy playing when you watch them and they really do come over, i'll we see how they come over and thank the fans as well.— the fans as well. yes, there is alwa s the fans as well. yes, there is always that — the fans as well. yes, there is always that connection - the fans as well. yes, there is always that connection there. | the fans as well. yes, there is | always that connection there. it the fans as well. yes, there is - always that connection there. it is always that connection there. it is always easier when you are winning, i suppose. that constant when all the time allows you to have that freedom and connection with the fans. but itjust means when we have difficult days and games where we may not quite assets, we don't hold many grudges, the fans. it is not catastrophe raised. wejust know many grudges, the fans. it is not catastrophe raised. we just know the quality of them and what they have managed to give to the fans over the last five, six, seven years hasjust been amazing. so we can only thank

them and enjoy the ride, really. you them and en'oy the ride, really. you didn't win them and enjoy the ride, really. you didn't win the _ them and enjoy the ride, really. you didn't win the champions league, though. didn't win the champions league, thou~h. , , ., ., though. yes, it is one of those, it is the toughest _ though. yes, it is one of those, it is the toughest competition - though. yes, it is one of those, it is the toughest competition in - though. yes, it is one of those, it| is the toughest competition in the world. you cannot win absolutely everything every single season, that is not sport. the best players and the best teams across any sport don't win everything every single year and i wouldn't call is going out in the champions league this year too much of a failure. 50 out in the champions league this year too much of a failure. so are ou year too much of a failure. so are you optimistic— year too much of a failure. so are you optimistic that _ year too much of a failure. so are you optimistic that you _ year too much of a failure. so are you optimistic that you will - year too much of a failure. so are you optimistic that you will win i year too much of a failure. so are l you optimistic that you will win the champions league?— you optimistic that you will win the champions league? going into next ear, ou champions league? going into next year. you have _ champions league? going into next year, you have boys _ champions league? going into next year, you have boys got _ champions league? going into next year, you have boys got to - champions league? going into next year, you have boys got to be - year, you have boys got to be optimistic that we have the team manager. i think we are in a position now we have won once, the weight is off the shoulders for a lot of the players and managers and fans —— you have voice got to be optimistic. we can go into next season with that positivity and strong outlook on everything, until pep guardiola goes and then things

change, i think. pep guardiola goes and then things change, ithink. pond pep guardiola goes and then things change, ithink.— change, i think. and 'ust finally, how are change, i think. and 'ust finally, howareyouh change, i think. and 'ust finally, how are you going _ change, i think. and just finally, how are you going to _ change, i think. and just finally, how are you going to celebrate l how are you going to celebrate tonight, james?— tonight, james? well, it is my birthday as — tonight, james? well, it is my birthday as well _ tonight, james? well, it is my birthday as well so _ tonight, james? well, it is my birthday as well so it - tonight, james? well, it is my birthday as well so it has - tonight, james? well, it is my| birthday as well so it has come tonight, james? well, it is my. birthday as well so it has come on the perfect day to day. so i am with the perfect day to day. so i am with the family today and we will be celebrating and maybe grab a couple of beers now and enjoy ourselves. 0k. james, thank you very much for joining us. how —— have a lovely, lovely evening celebrating. so james is celebrating. someone who probably is celebrating. someone who probably is not going to be celebrating as a presenter and dj. jeremiah, you are not a manchester city fan. rather, you are an arsenal fan, your feelings today? i you are an arsenal fan, your feelings today?— you are an arsenal fan, your feelings today? you are an arsenalfan, your feelinustoda ? . ., ., feelings today? i am so 'ealous of james right — feelings today? i am so 'ealous of james right now. _ feelings today? i am so 'ealous of james right now. i _ feelings today? i am so 'ealous of james right now. i am _ feelings today? i am so jealous of james right now. i am very - feelings today? i am so jealous of james right now. i am very much | feelings today? i am so jealous of. james right now. i am very much in mixed emotions. 0n james right now. i am very much in mixed emotions. on one hand, i am really gutted. 0n the other hand, i am just so like inspired and impressed by arsenal's performance this season. , impressed by arsenal's performance this season-— this season. yes, they have done particularly _ this season. yes, they have done

particularly well. _ this season. yes, they have done particularly well. why _ this season. yes, they have done particularly well. why do - this season. yes, they have done particularly well. why do you - this season. yes, they have done. particularly well. why do you think you have done so well this season? i just think looking back on last year, we were so close yet so far. i think this year, the character in the changing rooms, the players we have brought in light kai havertz and just seeing how close we were to just knowing this year, we have just got to give it our all and i genuinely believe we gave it everything this year. itjust so happens to be man city going to tote —— going toe to toe with arguably the best team in the world, you have got to give yourself a pat on the back for that. do got to give yourself a pat on the back for that.— got to give yourself a pat on the back for that. do you think you did so well because _ back for that. do you think you did so well because of— back for that. do you think you did so well because of the _ back for that. do you think you did so well because of the players - back for that. do you think you did so well because of the players or i so well because of the players or the manager? i so well because of the players or the manager?— so well because of the players or the manauer? ~ , , ., the manager? i think it is everyone. the players. — the manager? i think it is everyone. the players. the _ the manager? i think it is everyone. the players, the manager. - the manager? i think it is everyone. the players, the manager. i - the manager? i think it is everyone. the players, the manager. i think. the manager? i think it is everyone. the players, the manager. i think it| the players, the manager. i think it is the backroom staff. i think it is down to the whole club. i have been fortunate enough to work with arsenal this year and seeing how they move in terms of their community aspect, offering so much opportunity to young people in the local community, it is more than just a football club, it is a community. the moment you put on a shirt like this, it is notjust

being an arsenalfan, you become shirt like this, it is notjust being an arsenal fan, you become the arsenalfamily. so it is down being an arsenal fan, you become the arsenal family. so it is down to everyone. i arsenal family. so it is down to everyone-— arsenal family. so it is down to eve one. ., , ., everyone. i will ask you this and i think i know _ everyone. i will ask you this and i think i know what _ everyone. i will ask you this and i think i know what the _ everyone. i will ask you this and i think i know what the answer - everyone. i will ask you this and i think i know what the answer will j think i know what the answer will be. are you going to win it next season? , ., ., ., be. are you going to win it next season? , ., ., . , season? yes! come on! i am putting it out there, — season? yes! come on! i am putting it out there, we — season? yes! come on! i am putting it out there, we are _ season? yes! come on! i am putting it out there, we are going _ season? yes! come on! i am putting it out there, we are going to - season? yes! come on! i am putting it out there, we are going to do - season? yes! come on! i am putting it out there, we are going to do it! . it out there, we are going to do it! north london is read and hopefully the uk next year will be read as well. ., ., ~ , ., the uk next year will be read as well. ., ., ~ , . ~' well. come on, arsenal! do you think ou will well. come on, arsenal! do you think you will need — well. come on, arsenal! do you think you will need to _ well. come on, arsenal! do you think you will need to buy _ well. come on, arsenal! do you think you will need to buy some _ well. come on, arsenal! do you think you will need to buy some more - you will need to buy some more players to make that happen or are you happy with the team you have got? {iii you happy with the team you have rot? . ., , , you happy with the team you have rot? , ,., got? of course, there is always room for improvement _ got? of course, there is always room for improvement in _ got? of course, there is always room for improvement in every _ got? of course, there is always room for improvement in every aspect - got? of course, there is always room for improvement in every aspect of l for improvement in every aspect of the pitch. so i would love to see some new signings next year. but the man in charge is a do and mikel arteta and chi have it, extraction the start. but 60 million down the drain and kai havertz scores again, so fingers crossed another player can come through and show what we are made of next year.— are made of next year. jeremiah, an arsenal fan. — are made of next year. jeremiah, an arsenal fan, thank _ are made of next year. jeremiah, an arsenal fan, thank you _ are made of next year. jeremiah, an arsenal fan, thank you for _ are made of next year. jeremiah, an arsenal fan, thank you forjoining i arsenal fan, thank you forjoining us, i will let you go and sort of drown your sorrows. i should also mention the fact i live in luton and

luton town were relegated today. so i think the town also will be celebrating their sorrows, shall we say, a little later? don't forget you can get more on the fact manchester city have been premier league title champions for a record fourth time in a row on the bbc sport website and app. now, though, i want to turn to our other big breaking news in the last couple of hours. rescue teams in iran are searching in thick fog for a helicopter that's gone missing with president ebrahim raisi on board. iranian state tv said his aircraft was in a convoy returning from a visit to neighbouring azerbaijan when it was involved in an accident. the country's foreign minister is also believed to be on board. jon donnison has the latest. rescue teams struggling through the fog to the scene of the accident. dozens of people are involved in the search,

but bad weather is reported to be hampering their efforts. involved in an accident. but bad weather is reported to be hampering their efforts. it happened in the far north of iran, near the city of tabriz, close to the border with azerbaijan. president raisi, seen here on the left, had been visiting a dam project. this is thought to be footage of him earlier in the day, travelling in a convoy of three helicopters. first reports that something had gone wrong were announced on state tv. translation: there are unconfirmed reports of an incident involving - the helicopter carrying the president in thejolfa region. initial reports cite a hard landing for the helicopter carrying the president. president raisi, considered a hardliner, is the second most powerfulfigure in iran and has been regarded as a possible successor to the supreme leader, ali khamenei. there is no word yet on any casualties today, but across iran, there have been prayers for the president's safety.

jon donnison, bbc news. jonjoins me now in the studio. this is a developing situation, what is the latest we have got out of iran? ., ., .,, is the latest we have got out of iran? ., ., , . , iran? you saw from those pictures that it looks _ iran? you saw from those pictures that it looks like _ iran? you saw from those pictures that it looks like incredibly - that it looks like incredibly difficult conditions. this is a mountainous region and of course, it will be nightfall pretty soon in iran. we have had comments from the interior minister saying various rescue teams are still searching for the helicopter, but it will take time to get to the location. that suggests they know where it has gone down. but at the moment, we don't know if there are any casualties. however, president raisi is not only an incredibly important figure in iran, but in the region. and this of course comes when there is already a lot going on in the region, very mucks a tinderbox at the moment. thank you very much indeed. —— very much. another line we are getting, we earlier reported the iranian red

crescent said that three of their rescue workers were missing. well, they have now clarified that and they have now clarified that and they have now denied those reports. they are saying the organisation has none of its workers missing. they say all official updates about the rescue operation will either come from the task force in charge of these operations. so we had earlier reported the iranian red crescent was saying that three of their rescue workers had gone missing because of the foggy conditions we just mentioned, but they are denying that report that they had gone missing. i also want to show you some pictures that we have from the mehr news agency, a iranian government agency. as we reported, the president was at an event under iran and azerbaijan border and these pictures were taken today at that event. he was opening it down. you

can see the helicopter is in the background. and that helicopter took off. and we have a picture of it in the air. what we don't know for sure is whether this is the helicopter that he was in, but we can assume that he was in, but we can assume that it that he was in, but we can assume thatitis that he was in, but we can assume that it is the same helicopter that had that crash landing carrying president raisi. interestingly, it doesn't look like a military helicopter. but my colleagues from bbc persian were telling me a little earlier that the sort of helicopter that the president would use would depend on where he was in the country and also what he was going to visit. so for example, if he was going to a military base, it was likely to be a military helicopter, but not necessarily so if it was somewhere else. 0f but not necessarily so if it was somewhere else. of course, this was not a military event he was at. he was on the iranian azerbaijan border to open a damn. and azerbaijan's

president ilham aliyev has spoken since this accident. he said he was profoundly troubled after hearing the reports about the helicopter crash involving president raisi. 0f crash involving president raisi. of course, the two are together to open the dams around the iranian azerbaijan border. you can see from the pictures on screen these are the conditions the rescuers are having to deal with. it is very foggy, it has been raining and it is also nightfall now and that also means that the temperatures are going to plunge, which means that it will make their rescue operation a lot harder at the azerbaijani president —— and the azerbaijani president saying today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the president of the islamic republic of iran ebrahim raisi, we are profoundly troubled by the news of the helicopter carrying the delegation crash landing in iran. prayers are

with president ebrahim raisi and the accompanying delegation. he also added that azerbaijan is ready to offer any assistance needed. iraq have also said that they are prepared to offer any assistance thatis prepared to offer any assistance that is needed. the issue of course is that this area is a remote mountainous area. we have also got that heavy fog as well. which means that heavy fog as well. which means that it that heavy fog as well. which means thatitis that heavy fog as well. which means that it is going to be difficult to get the rescue teams there. what we should say is that we do not have any official word on the condition of the president and also the foreign minister, who was also in the helicopter. the interior minister who has been on state tv just reiterating what we have been saying, that rescuers are still trying to reach the site, but it was very difficult due to the weather conditions. state media have called on iranian citizens to pray for president raisi and we have seen

pictures on state media of people praying at various locations around iran. 0f praying at various locations around iran. of course, this will be closely watched around the world. the white house has issued a statement saying —— saying that president biden is closely watching events in iran following the fact that this helicopter has gone down with the president and foreign minister on board. let's speak to holly dagres. she is an iran analyst and a senior fellow with the atlantic council's middle east programs. shejoins us live. thank she joins us live. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. i just wondered if i could get your initial reaction to this helicopter crash with the president on board in iran? ., ~ crash with the president on board in iran? . ~' ,, crash with the president on board in iran? ., ~ i. ., ., crash with the president on board in iran? . ~' i., ., . ., iran? thank you for having me on the programme- — iran? thank you for having me on the programme. there _ iran? thank you for having me on the programme. there have _ iran? thank you for having me on the programme. there have been - iran? thank you for having me on the programme. there have been reports that things are not looking well on the ground. there are of course rumours, but the fact they have not been able to locate the helicopter

and the irgc affiliated news agency had early reports they had received a phone call from one of the entourage saying all is well on this helicopter. but we have not been able to find more information and as time goes on and as it gets colder and it is night time there, i think there is a lot of rumours and speculation that may be the president has passed away. but again, these are purely speculation right now. ii again, these are purely speculation rirht now. ., again, these are purely speculation rirht now. . ., , ., again, these are purely speculation rirht now. . .,, ., ., ,, right now. if that was to happen, there is a system _ right now. if that was to happen, there is a system in _ right now. if that was to happen, there is a system in place - right now. if that was to happen, there is a system in place in - right now. if that was to happen, there is a system in place in iran | there is a system in place in iran that would come into play straight wouldn't it?— wouldn't it? yes, according to article 131— wouldn't it? yes, according to article 131 of _ wouldn't it? yes, according to article 131 of the _ wouldn't it? yes, according to article 131 of the islamic - article 131 of the islamic republic's constitution, the first vice—president, currently mohammad mokhber, would take the helm of the presidency. and in 50 days, there would be a presidential election. and again, i need to keep stressing we don't know the condition of the

president or the foreign minister. how important is the president in the iranian system? if you could just outline the importance of him for viewers who may not understand the politics of iran.— the politics of iran. absolutely. well, the islamic _ the politics of iran. absolutely. well, the islamic republic - the politics of iran. absolutely. well, the islamic republic is i the politics of iran. absolutely. l well, the islamic republic is led the politics of iran. absolutely. - well, the islamic republic is led by a supreme leader, ayatollah ali khamenei, and i would say he is the commander—in—chief makes all the main decisions in the country. his number two is the president, currently the hardliner ebrahim raisi. and so in essence, it is the supreme leader that because all the shots in the country. but i think what is noteworthy here is that ayatollah khamenei is 85 years old and there has been a lot of talk of succession in recent years given that he is a link with cancer. so one of the top contenders actually was widely believed that it would be ebrahim raisi who is now missing on this helicopter. in this helicopter

crash. so i think that is what is really know here, that if he has indeed passed away, that would mean that potentially, the line of succession might have to change and that would essentially change the trajectory of the islamic republic. so i think that is what is noteworthy here.- so i think that is what is noteworthy here. so i think that is what is noteworth here. �* ., , noteworthy here. and of course, if that was to — noteworthy here. and of course, if that was to happen, _ noteworthy here. and of course, if that was to happen, that - noteworthy here. and of course, if that was to happen, that would . noteworthy here. and of course, if l that was to happen, that would have implications notjust for iran, but for the rest of the world, hence why the white house is saying that president biden is keeping a close eye on events. president biden is keeping a close eye on events-— eye on events. absolutely, and i think it is _ eye on events. absolutely, and i think it is also _ eye on events. absolutely, and i think it is also noteworthy - eye on events. absolutely, and i think it is also noteworthy that l eye on events. absolutely, and i l think it is also noteworthy that we should be talking about the mood on the ground. you said earlier state media is in essence talking about thoughts and prayers. but iranians, at least from what i am seeing on social media, are happy at the news. this is a regime that has been marred by systemic corruption, mismanagement and repression for four and a half decades and they do not like this regime. and wejust saw with parliamentary elections,

which had the lowest turnout in the islamic republic's 115 year history, that iranians are just disillusioned by the clerical establishment. and i track social media online and i have been seeing a lot of happy memes and jokes. more importantly, one of two daughters who lost their mother during the uprising and was killed by a security force was actually celebrating with alcohol online at the possibility that raisi might have passed away.— the possibility that raisi might have passed away. the possibility that raisi might have rassed awa. , , , . have passed away. yes, because that is a roint have passed away. yes, because that is a point worth _ have passed away. yes, because that is a point worth mentioning, - have passed away. yes, because that is a point worth mentioning, the - is a point worth mentioning, the fact that it being iran, the pictures and images we are getting are coming from state media, which is so tightly controlled in iran, where they want to try and portray the narrative that they want, versus as you said what some of the everyday iranians will be thinking. correct. and it is notjust that they are happy because of, because this is a president that has

possibly died, but i think it is noteworthy bit to unpack about the background of ebrahim raisi. yes, he was elected in 2021, but he was a judiciary chief before that and a lot of executions happened under his watch. but more significantly, during the 1980s, there was a prison massacre in 1988 and he served on one of the death commissions of this prison massacre. and the multiple human rights organisations, including amnesty international, believe crimes against humanity were committed during this massacre. so this is the kind of person we are talking about, someone with blood on their hands. fiend talking about, someone with blood on their hands. �* ., ., , ., ~' their hands. and what do you think of what is going — their hands. and what do you think of what is going on _ their hands. and what do you think of what is going on behind - their hands. and what do you think of what is going on behind the - of what is going on behind the scenes at the moment with the iranian leadership and how they will be trying to manage this? well. be trying to manage this? well, civen be trying to manage this? well, given there _ be trying to manage this? well, given there is _ be trying to manage this? well, given there is a _ be trying to manage this? well, given there is a constitution, i be trying to manage this? well, given there is a constitution, it| given there is a constitution, it will be a relatively smooth transition if raisi has indeed passed away. so they are going to

lean on that. but i imagine this is a big headache for them, given the situation on the ground, these kind of shocks are not helpful when you have a population that mostly does not want you around. so i imagine they are watching the situation on they are watching the situation on the ground very closely. but otherwise, they should be a relatively smooth transition, as it would have been in other countries. thank you very much forjoining us with your insight. let's speak to roqayeh rezaei, a journalist for iranwire. she grew up in iran, but left in 2016 and now lives in 0ttowa. thank you very much forjoining us. i wonder if i could pick up on the point about the reaction in iran versus what state tv would be reporting. what are you picking up from everyday iranians and their reaction to this helicopter crash with the president?— reaction to this helicopter crash with the president? well, i was 'ust checkin: with the president? well, i was 'ust checking the — with the president? well, i was 'ust checking the comments i with the president? well, i was 'ust checking the comments and i with the president? well, i was 'ust checking the comments and thei

checking the comments and the instagram posts about the crash and instagram posts about the crash and i saw, i could see an obvious sense ofjoy and happiness from the comments. people are sharing memes and jokes and joking about for example, let's attach these holidays to the coming holidays of the anniversary of the death of khamenei, which is happening in two weeks. they are talking about attaching it and making it nice and neat, for a good vacation. there are also memes of mr bean looking around, looking at watch, waiting for the death news. and then getting a sense of relief after that. so it is obvious that the legitimacy crisis of the islamic republic is

shown in these comments and is shown in these jokes that people are making and they are happy. but at the other side, at the state run media and i would say propaganda, they are showing prayers. they are showing, they are asking people, actually, to pray for ebrahim raisi, as they have done before for the death of ayatollah khamenei. there is no solid and official comments at the moment, but there are a lot of unofficial talks and rumours going on. we received reports from a trusted source close to the office of the supreme leader that you could

not