Iran’s President “Ebrahim Raisi” Died After Helicopter Crash
Tehran, Iran:
A helicopter carrying Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and key officials crashed while traveling back from East Azerbaijan, leaving the President and other officials missing. The Helicopter went down during the return trip from a Cooperative Dam project inauguration at the Iran-Azerbaijan border, a significant event marking improved relations between the two countries.
Confirmation of Casualties:
IRAN’S PRESIDENT “Ebrahim Raisi” DIED
According to Qom News, a black banner was flown at the top of the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad. Iranian state media confirmed that President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian have died in the helicopter crash. A total of nine people, including a provincial governor, were on board when the aircraft went down in northern Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. All are believed to be dead.
National Mourning and Symbolic Actions
In response to the tragedy, a black banner was flown on top of the dome of the Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom, signifying national mourning. Qom is considered the second holiest city in Iran next to Mashhad and is also the center of Shia religious studies. The shrine honors Fatima Masumeh, sister of Imam Reza and daughter of Imam Musa al-Kadhim, both important figures in Shia Islam.
Immediate Political Implications
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei assured the nation that there will be no disruptions in governance. The Vice President will assume the powers of the presidency, and new elections will be held within 50 days to elect a new president.
International Response and Solidarity
Neighbouring countries and international entities have expressed their concern and offered assistance. The White House announced that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the incident. Turkey responded to a request from Iranian authorities by deploying a drone, a helicopter, vehicles, and a rescue team. Additionally, the European Union has offered emergency satellite mapping technology to assist with the search.
Incident Details:
Reports of a helicopter crash involving President Raisi’s convoy first surfaced on social media, quickly gaining attention from local media. Initially, the state-linked Mehr news website reported that Raisi had opted to travel to Tabriz by car due to foggy weather, suggesting he was safe.
However, this report was later retracted after state television confirmed that Raisi was indeed on the helicopter, which had suffered a “hard landing.”
What is a “Hard Landin“?
A “hard landing” refers to an aircraft landing harder and faster than normal, potentially due to weather conditions, pilot error, or mechanical issues. The exact cause of this incident remains under investigation.
Key Individuals on Board
In addition to President Raisi, the helicopter was carrying several high-ranking officials:
:- Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran’s Foreign Minister
:- Malek Rahmati, East Azerbaijan Province Governor
:- Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, Representative of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to East Azerbaijan
Rescue Operations:
Rescue efforts have been significantly hampered by adverse weather conditions. Bad weather, including darkness and rain, has created challenging conditions for the search teams. Twenty rescue teams and an unspecified number of drones have been deployed to the mountainous crash site. The Iranian army and the elite Revolutionary Guard have mobilized all available resources to aid in the search and rescue operations.
A local reporter told state television, “It is dark and it has started raining, but the search continues. Rescue teams have reached the area … however, the rain has created mud, making the search difficult.”
National and International Response:
The incident has prompted a national response, with the Iranian national broadcaster suspending regular programming to broadcast prayers for President Raisi and live coverage of the rescue efforts. Nationwide prayers are being held, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Neighbouring countries and international entities have expressed their concern and offered assistance. The White House announced that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the incident. Turkey responded to a request from Iranian authorities by deploying a drone, a helicopter, vehicles, and a rescue team. Additionally, the European Union has offered emergency satellite mapping technology to assist with the search.
Conclusion:
As rescue operations continue, the situation remains dire, with no confirmed updates on the status of President Raisi and the other officials. The challenging weather conditions and difficult terrain are significant obstacles for the rescue teams. The international community watches closely, hoping for a positive outcome as Iran grapples with this critical situation. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.