Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, alongside the country’s foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and several other officials, have been confirmed dead following a helicopter crash in a remote, foggy mountainous region of northwest Iran. State media announced the fatalities on Monday, after an hours-long search operation that faced significant impediments due to challenging weather and terrain.
The helicopter was carrying Raisi, Amirabdollahian, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, and additional officials. They had been traveling near the border with Azerbaijan, where Raisi had earlier inaugurated a dam with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
Rescue efforts, hampered by heavy fog and the rugged landscape, were further complicated by the shortage of helicopter parts in Iran, a situation exacerbated by Western sanctions. This shortage has often led to aircraft in the country flying without adequate safety checks. Footage released by IRNA early Monday showed the crash site, across a steep valley in a green mountain range, where soldiers speaking the local Azeri language were heard confirming the discovery of the wreckage.
International reactions have been swift, with condolences pouring in from regional neighbors and global leaders. The crash has further unsettled the Middle East, particularly as it comes after Raisi authorized a drone-and-missile attack on Israel in response to an apparent Israeli airstrike.
Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif pointedly blamed the United States for the crash due to the sanctions that have restricted Iran’s aviation capabilities. “One of the main culprits of yesterday’s tragedy is the United States,” Zarif declared in an interview, highlighting the embargo on the sale of aircraft and aviation parts to Iran.
The loss of Raisi, a hard-liner and protégé of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, injects uncertainty into Iran’s political future. As per the Iranian constitution, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has assumed the role of acting president, and a presidential election will be called within 50 days.
The Cabinet, following the confirmation of Raisi’s death, convened an emergency meeting, pledging to continue on Raisi’s path and assuring that “with the help of God and the people, there will be no problem with management of the country.”
Raisi, who had formerly led Iran’s judiciary, was known for his conservative stance on various domestic and foreign issues, such as the rights of women and Iran’s nuclear program. As the nation enters a period of mourning, the impact of Raisi’s absence on the Iranian political landscape remains to be seen, with the government affirming stability and continuity of operations amidst the grief.
Relevant articles:
– US reaches agreement with Niger to withdraw military forces by September 15 , Yahoo News Canada, 05/20/2024
– Iran’s president, foreign minister and others found dead at helicopter crash site, The Associated Press, 05/20/2024
– What do we know so far about the helicopter crash that killed Iran’s president and others?, The Associated Press, 05/20/2024
– Ebrahim Raisi: Iranian President and foreign minister confirmed dead in helicopter crash, CNN, 05/20/2024
– Iran’s President Raisi dead in helicopter crash, former foreign minister blames US sanctions, ABC News, 05/20/2024
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