Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Killed in Helicopter Crash, Reports Iranian Media

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash while crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, according to an Iranian official speaking to Reuters. The incident occurred during President Raisi’s return flight to the Iranian city of Tabriz after inaugurating the Qiz Qalasi Dam with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The helicopter, carrying President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials, lost contact approximately 30 minutes into the flight, sparking immediate concerns and a massive search and rescue operation. Initial reports described the situation as an “accident,” with Deputy President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri stating that two members of the president’s entourage had contacted rescue teams, suggesting the incident might not have been catastrophic.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged calm and assured the nation that governance would continue smoothly. The search effort involved over 60 rescue teams, including army, Revolutionary Guard forces, and police units, but harsh weather conditions and heavy fog hampered their efforts.

The international community expressed concern and offered assistance, with neighboring countries and organizations pledging support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, highlighting President Raisi’s contributions to the India-Iran bilateral relationship. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani expressed gratitude for the international solidarity, with US President Joe Biden closely monitoring the situation.

This tragic incident comes amidst heightened regional tensions, including the Gaza conflict and Iran’s recent escalations with Israel. President Raisi, in office since 2021, had pledged Iran’s support for Palestine, a stance reiterated during his recent dam inauguration speech.