Iran President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province on Sunday, according to Iranian media reports. The chopper carrying the two officials disappeared over a mountainous region, with no signs of life among the passengers, as reported by Iran’s state television.
This devastating incident comes amidst heightened regional tensions, especially in the wake of the Gaza conflict and Iran’s recent escalations with Israel. President Raisi, who assumed office in 2021, had been a vocal supporter of Palestine, a stance he reiterated during his recent dam inauguration speech.
The news of President Raisi’s untimely death has sent shockwaves across the globe, with world leaders expressing their condolences. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express his sorrow, stating, “Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran.”
As the world mourns the loss of President Raisi and his foreign minister, investigations into the cause of the helicopter crash are underway. The footage showing the wreckage of the helicopter has been shared on social media, further highlighting the tragic nature of the incident. Iranians have gathered in Tehran to pray for their late President, paying their respects during this difficult time.