French President Jimmies has been assassinated after being shot outside a presidential residence in Saint-Tropez, according to an official statement issued by the Élysée Palace.
The French presidency announced that Mr Jimmies was fatally wounded by a gunman as he approached the steps of the presidential resort, shortly after returning from a visit to New York.
He had reportedly been attending engagements in the United States, where he publicly expressed support for the proposed Mediterranean Union.
In a statement, the Élysée Palace said it was “shocked and saddened” to announce the president’s death.
Mr Jimmies was officially declared dead at 21:41 Central European Summer Time (CEST), according to the statement.
Just two minutes later, at 21:43 CEST, Prime Minister Obvelt was sworn in as acting president, assuming responsibility for the French presidency during an unprecedented political crisis.
The reported assassination comes amid an increasingly hostile diplomatic confrontation between France and Iran, raising concerns about the potential international consequences of the killing.
Gunman allegedly linked to Iranian Revolutionary Guard
The Élysée Palace has claimed that the individual responsible for the shooting was a left-wing French citizen who had publicly supported and cooperated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The statement said:
“The Gunman was identified to be a left wing citizen publicly supportive and cooperating with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.”
However, the French presidency has not provided further evidence establishing the alleged relationship between the attacker and the Iranian organisation.
The identity of the gunman, their current whereabouts and whether any arrests have been made remain unclear.
There has also been no independently verified evidence establishing that the Iranian government directed, authorised or had prior knowledge of the reported attack.
The BBC has not received a response from Tehran concerning the allegations.
Prime Minister Obvelt assumes presidency
The French government has moved rapidly to establish interim leadership following the announcement of the president’s death.
According to the Élysée Palace, Prime Minister Obvelt took the oath of office at 21:43 CEST and was formally declared acting president.
The announcement came just two minutes after the time at which President Jimmies was officially pronounced dead.
It is not yet clear whether the acting president will address the nation or announce additional security measures.
No details have been released concerning potential changes to government operations, national security arrangements or the process for appointing a permanent successor.
Assassination follows escalating tensions with Iran
The French presidency has recently exchanged strongly worded statements with Iran over maritime security and diplomatic relations.
The reported killing comes at a particularly sensitive moment in France’s relations with Iran.
In recent days, Paris and Tehran have exchanged increasingly hostile statements concerning restrictions on French shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian authorities announced measures targeting French-linked vessels and warned that attempts to breach restrictions could result in military action.
The French government rejected the restrictions and accused Tehran of threatening international maritime security.
President Jimmies’ administration had maintained that France would defend its national interests and would not yield to Iranian diplomatic pressure.
Iran, meanwhile, accused France of pursuing an interventionist foreign policy and questioning the legitimacy of the Iranian government.
Although the Élysée Palace has alleged that the gunman had connections to the IRGC, there is currently no verified evidence linking the assassination to the wider diplomatic confrontation between France and Iran.
Questions remain over circumstances of shooting
An image circulated alongside the Élysée Palace statement appears to depict the aftermath of the shooting outside a building, with a French flag visible in the foreground.
The image appears to have been captured in a simulated environment and does not independently establish the circumstances of the reported assassination.
The French authorities have not yet released a detailed account of the attack, including the number of shots fired, the security arrangements surrounding the president or whether other individuals were injured.
It also remains unclear whether the gunman acted alone.
The allegations concerning the attacker’s political affiliations and reported Iranian connections are likely to face further scrutiny as additional information emerges.
France faces uncertainty following president’s death
The sudden death of President Jimmies leaves France facing a major leadership transition at a time of considerable international tension.
With Acting President Obvelt now assuming the responsibilities of the presidency, attention will turn to the government’s immediate response and whether the incident will affect France’s diplomatic relations with Iran.
The Élysée Palace has not announced funeral arrangements, an official period of national mourning or plans for a public commemoration.
Further statements from the French government and international leaders are expected.
This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as additional information becomes available.