News - Middle East: Polls open in a snap presidential election in Iran to replace President Ebrahim Raeisi who lost his life in a helicopter crash in the country's northwest. 

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei cast his ballot at a polling station in Tehran just as the voting began on Friday.

"I pray for the best days and years for our beloved nation from the Almighty God. Election day is a day of joy and happiness for us Iranians, especially when the election is for the selection of the president as the next few years of the country will be determined by this choice of the people," he said after voting.

"We recommend our dear people to take voting and participation in this important political test seriously and participate" in it, he added.