Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Minister Killed in Helicopter Crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian died when their helicopter crashed while navigating mountainous terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official informed Reuters.

The helicopter, which suffered a “hard landing” on Sunday, was carrying President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian. Intense rescue efforts are underway to locate them, with adverse weather conditions, including heavy fog, complicating the search in East Azerbaijan province. According to Iranian state media, the helicopter remains missing.

Fars News Agency has urged citizens to pray for President Raisi, while countries across the Middle East have expressed concern and offered assistance. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reassured the nation that the country’s leadership will remain stable, urging Iranians not to worry. “We hope Almighty God will bring our dear president and his companions back in full health,” he said in a televised address.

International support has poured in, with expressions of concern and offers of help from Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia, Turkey, and the European Union, which activated its rapid response mapping service. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani expressed gratitude for the international sympathy and assistance.

State television first reported the accident in the Jolfa region. A broadcaster noted that harsh weather conditions and heavy fog have hindered rescue teams’ access to the crash site. Iran’s Red Crescent chief, Pirhossein Koolivand, mentioned that the accident area has yet to be identified and described the situation as “difficult.”

Rescuers are moving towards a location where a fuel smell was detected. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi stated that the helicopter made a “hard landing” in bad weather, making communication challenging. He advised the public to rely on state television for information and disregard foreign media.

Vice President Mohammad Mokhber led an emergency cabinet meeting following the incident. Raisi’s convoy included three helicopters, with the other two landing safely, according to Tasnim News Agency. Over 60 rescue teams, utilizing search dogs and drones, have been deployed to the mountainous Dizmar forest area near Varzaghan, with military and police officers joining the effort.

President Raisi had been visiting the northwestern province to inaugurate a dam project with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. Aliyev expressed his concern and offered assistance, stating, “Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation.”

Foreign countries are closely monitoring the search amid high regional tensions due to the ongoing Gaza conflict. A US State Department spokesman confirmed they are following the reports, and President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident.

Raisi, who has been president since 2021, succeeded Hassan Rouhani at a time of economic struggle due to US sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran has faced significant unrest, notably after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022.

In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic relations, but regional tensions have escalated again due to the Gaza war. Following the dam inauguration, Raisi emphasized Iran’s support for Palestinians, reinforcing its stance since the 1979 Islamic revolution.