Iranian state media IRNA has released footage showing the wreckage of President Raisi’s helicopter, found by the Red Crescent’s volunteer drone team. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister died when their helicopter crashed while flying over mountains in heavy fog, according to an Iranian official who spoke to Reuters. “When the helicopter was found, there was no sign of the passengers being alive,” reported state TV.
The crash happened as President Raisi was returning to the city of Tabriz after he and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev opened the Qiz Qalasi Dam on their shared border. The helicopter, carrying President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials, lost contact about 30 minutes into the flight, triggering a large search and rescue operation.
Initial reports from Iran’s state media described the crash as an “accident.” Iran’s Deputy President for Executive Affairs, Mohsen Mansouri, mentioned that two members of the president’s team had contacted rescue teams, suggesting the incident might not have been completely disastrous. Mansouri also said that the Ministry of Communications had narrowed down the possible crash site to within a two-kilometre area.
Iranian state media also reported that Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy, Mehdi Safari, claimed that the Tabriz Friday prayer leader had managed to talk to President Raisi, 63, by phone from the crashed helicopter. “Mehdi Safari, who was in one of the three helicopters with President Raisi’s team, said the Tabriz Friday prayer leader made a phone call to the president from the downed helicopter,” the report stated.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urged calm and assured that the country’s governance would not be disrupted. “We hope that Almighty God will bring our dear president and his companions back in full health to the nation,” he said in a televised address.
The search effort has been extensive, with more than 60 rescue teams, including army, Revolutionary Guard forces, and police units, searching the foggy, mountainous area. The harsh weather and heavy fog have made these efforts difficult. Iran’s Red Crescent chief, Pirhossein Koolivand, said the team detected a “smell of fuel” in one area, and rescue teams are now focusing on that spot.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his “deep concern” on social media. “Deeply concerned by reports about President Raisi’s helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress and pray for the well-being of the President and his entourage,” he posted on X.
This incident comes during a time of high regional tensions, especially with the Gaza conflict and Iran’s recent issues with Israel. President Raisi, who has been in office since 2021, has promised strong support for Palestine, a stance he reiterated during his recent speech at the dam inauguration.
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