Helicopter crash claims the life of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi

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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Killed in Helicopter Crash

Tragedy struck Iran on Monday as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister were confirmed dead in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain and icy weather in East Azerbaijan province. The wreckage was located after search teams braved extreme weather conditions to reach the site.

The head of Iran’s Red Crescent, Pirhossein Kolivand, reported to state television that there was “no sign” of life among the passengers of the helicopter that crashed on Sunday afternoon. The helicopter was carrying Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, and Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the representative of the Iranian supreme leader to the province, along with President Raisi.

An official told Reuters that the helicopter was found completely burned, and all passengers were feared dead. The area was covered in thick fog, with temperatures dropping overnight and heavy rain turning into snowfall, making rescue efforts challenging.

Hours after midnight, a Turkish drone identified a source of heat suspected to be the helicopter’s wreckage and shared the coordinates with Iranian authorities. A large rescue team was dispatched to the site to investigate further. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi had earlier stated that the helicopter had made a hard landing in bad weather.

With the death of President Raisi, according to the Iranian constitution, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber is expected to become the interim president with the approval of Iran’s supreme leader. A council consisting of the parliamentary speaker, the head of the judiciary, and the vice president will then arrange the election of a new president within 50 days.

Raisi, a principlist and ideological ally of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was elected in 2021, succeeding the moderate Hassan Rouhani. His presidency was marked by economic challenges due to US sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program.

The tragic incident comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, exacerbated by Israel’s recent actions in Gaza. Last month, Iran retaliated against Israel after an Israeli strike killed senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers in Iran’s embassy in Damascus. Raisi also faced criticism for a harsh crackdown on protests following the death of Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in custody.

In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia surprised the region by signing a deal to restore diplomatic relations, signaling a potential shift in regional dynamics. The death of President Raisi leaves a void in Iranian leadership at a critical time, with the country facing both internal and external challenges.

The nation mourns the loss of its leader and foreign minister, as investigations into the cause of the helicopter crash continue. The legacy of President Raisi and his contributions to Iran will be remembered as the country navigates through this period of uncertainty and grief.