Update: State media has now confirmed that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were both killed when their helicopter crashed in the mountains of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province amid poor weather conditions. Iranian media has confirmed that there are no survivors.
Raisi was visiting the Azerbaijani border to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalaisi Dam, a project in collaboration between the two nations. Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi reported that one of three helicopters in the group crashed during the journey, and authorities are still gathering further details on the incident.
Despite Iran’s dual political system, where the supreme leader holds ultimate authority, Raisi was seen as a potential successor to his mentor, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raisi was expected to be the successor due to his close alignment with Khamenei’s conservative and religious views, as well as his influential role within Iran’s political hierarchy. His death leaves a significant power vacuum and raises questions about the future leadership of Iran.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei quickly named a little-known vice president as caretaker and assured that the government remains in control. However, the deaths add to the pressures facing the country both domestically and internationally.
Original Story
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and several other officials crashed on Sunday in the mountainous East Azerbaijan province due to adverse weather conditions. The incident, occurring near the village of Uzi close to Jolfa, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran, has been met with challenging rescue efforts compounded by heavy fog and poor weather.
State television initially described the event as a “hard landing,” while local officials referred to it as a crash. The US-made Bell 212 helicopter, part of Iran’s aging fleet affected by international sanctions, was confirmed to have been carrying important government figures according to state-run IRNA news agency.
A Turkish drone has reportedly detected a “source of heat suspected to be the wreckage of the helicopter carrying President Raisi,” as reported by Turkey’s state-run news agency Anadolu. The coordinates have been shared with Iranian authorities, although there has been no immediate confirmation from the Iranian side.
Akinci UAV identifies source of heat suspected to be wreckage of helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi and shares its coordinates with Iranian authorities pic.twitter.com/0tZtMc5oaP
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) May 20, 2024
The crash has heightened tensions in a region already struggling with economic difficulties and political unrest. President Raisi, known for his shia-conservative stance both domestically and in foreign policy, has been a pivotal figure in Iran’s recent political landscape.
Amid the uncertainty of President Raisi’s condition and whereabouts, IRNA reported that nine individuals were on the crashed helicopter, including the president, foreign minister, the governor of Eastern Azerbaijan, and several security and flight crew members.
In response, Russia has pledged support, planning to send two special helicopters and a team of 50 professional mountain rescuers from Armenia to assist in the ongoing search and rescue operations.Â
There are reports circulating on social media and some news outlets claiming the confirmed death of President Raisi. The reports suggest that internal discussions are underway within Iran on how to address and confirm these developments without causing further unrest. Celebratory fireworks have also been reported in parts of Iran.Â
People in Iran are setting off fireworks after hearing that the helicopter of the President of the Islamic Regime in Iran has crashed pic.twitter.com/1LxgDMAzR0
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 19, 2024
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