French President Jimmies Shot Dead Outside Saint-Tropez Residence

French President Jimmies has died after being shot outside a presidential residence in Saint-Tropez, the Élysée Palace has confirmed.

In a statement, the French presidency said Mr Jimmies was fatally wounded by a gunman as he approached the steps of the residence, shortly after returning from an official visit to New York.

He was pronounced dead at 21:41 Central European Summer Time.

Two minutes later, at 21:43, Prime Minister Obvelt took the oath of office and was declared acting president.

The Élysée Palace said it was "shocked and saddened" to announce the death of the president.

Mr Jimmies had been in the United States for a series of engagements, during which he publicly backed the proposed Mediterranean Union.

Gunman 'cooperating' with Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Élysée claims

The French presidency has alleged that the attacker was a left-wing French citizen who openly supported and worked with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

No evidence has been released to support that claim.

The gunman has not been named, and it is not known whether anyone has been arrested or whether the attacker acted alone.

There is currently no verified information indicating that the Iranian government ordered, approved or was aware of the attack in advance. Tehran has not yet responded to the allegations.

Killing comes amid row over Strait of Hormuz

The shooting comes at a time of sharply rising tension between Paris and Tehran.

In recent days, the two governments have traded hostile statements over Iranian restrictions on French-linked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian authorities had warned that any attempt to breach the measures could be met with military force. France rejected the restrictions, accusing Iran of endangering international maritime security.

Mr Jimmies' government had insisted it would defend French interests and would not bow to pressure from Tehran, while Iran accused France of an interventionist foreign policy and of questioning the legitimacy of the Iranian state.

Many questions unanswered

French authorities have not yet given a detailed account of the attack, including how many shots were fired, what security arrangements were in place, or whether anyone else was injured.

An image released alongside the Élysée statement appears to show the scene outside the building, with a French flag visible in the foreground.

It is not yet clear whether Acting President Obvelt will address the nation tonight, or whether additional security measures will be introduced.

No details have been given about funeral arrangements, a period of national mourning, or the process for electing a permanent successor.

Reaction from European capitals, including Dublin, is expected in the coming hours.

More to follow.