Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a Helicopter Crash. The incident, which also claimed the lives of several other high-ranking officials, including the country’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, occurred in the mountains while the officials were returning from a dam inauguration event at the border with Azerbaijan.
BREAKING: Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media reports. pic.twitter.com/xyg8DbdreA
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) May 20, 2024
An unnamed senior official told Reuters, “President Raisi, the foreign minister and all the passengers in the helicopter were killed in the crash”.
This tragic incident has left the nation in a state of shock and mourning. Ebrahim Raisi, aged 63, was a hard-line protégé of the country’s supreme leader and had a controversial past.
He had helped oversee the mass executions of thousands in 1988 and later led the country as it enriched uranium near weapons-grade levels and launched a major drone and missile attack on Israel. His sudden death is likely to have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of the Middle East.
The head of Iran’s Red Crescent, Pir-Hossein Kolivand, said earlier Monday there were “no signs of life of those traveling on board the helicopter”.
The helicopter carrying the officials experienced a “hard landing”, according to reports. At least 40 rescue teams, including drones and search dogs, were deployed to the crash site.
However, adverse weather conditions, including heavy fog, made the rescue operation challenging. Despite these difficulties, the bodies of President Raisi and the other officials were recovered after an hours-long search.
State TV reports Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was in a helicopter crash.
Rescue crews are rushing to the crash site.
Josh Lederman reports the status of Raisi and his entourage is “unknown.”
The White House says President Biden has been briefed on this. pic.twitter.com/HxQ294z4qI
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) May 19, 2024
Arash Azizi, a contributor at The Atlantic, said Iran will enter a “tumultuous period” following the crash of the helicopter carrying the country’s President Ebrahim Raisi.
The officials were returning from the border with Azerbaijan, where President Raisi had been inaugurating a dam on the Aras river with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The crash site was located 375 miles from the capital, Tehran, northwest of the country.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stated that intelligence authorities have informed him that there is “no evidence of foul play” in the helicopter crash. This statement suggests that the crash was likely an accident, although investigations are still ongoing.
The loss of President Raisi and the other officials is a significant blow to Iran. Raisi, known for enforcing brutal crackdowns on political opposition, was seen as a potential successor to the supreme leader. His sudden death will undoubtedly lead to a period of uncertainty and possible instability in Iran.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his condolences, writing, “My heartfelt prayers & good wishes for the well-being & safety of President Raisi so that he may continue to serve the Iranian nation,”.
As the world watches and waits, the people of Iran mourn the loss of their president and the other officials who perished in this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
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