NEW DELHI: Iran President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were confirmed dead after their helicopter crashed in the mountainous region of East Azerbaijan province on Sunday.
The senior Iranian official who confirmed the deaths to Reuters requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter. Mehr news agency also reported that “all passengers of the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister were martyred.”
The helicopter, identified as a US-made Bell 212 by state news agency IRNA, was completely destroyed in the crash. Images from the site showed the aircraft had slammed into a mountain peak, although the official cause of the crash has not been determined.
Rescue Efforts Hampered by Severe Conditions
Rescue teams battled blizzards and challenging terrain throughout the night to reach the wreckage. Upon discovering the crash site, no signs of life were detected among the passengers, according to Pirhossein Kolivand, head of Iran’s Red Crescent.
President Raisi, 63, was elected in 2021 and had implemented stricter morality laws, overseen a violent crackdown on anti-government protests, and pushed hard in nuclear negotiations with world powers during his tenure. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power and has the final say on foreign policy and Iran’s nuclear program, sought to reassure Iranians that there would be no disruption to state affairs.
International Reactions and Assistance Offers
Several countries expressed their concern and offered assistance in the rescue efforts. The White House stated that US President Joe Biden had been briefed on the crash reports, while China expressed deep concern. The European Union offered emergency satellite mapping technology to aid in the search and rescue operations.
The crash occurred amidst growing dissent within Iran over various political, social, and economic crises, as well as international pressure on Tehran’s disputed nuclear program and deepening military ties with Russia during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
A Tragic End to a Controversial Tenure
Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border on Sunday to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, a joint project. Ebrahim Raisi, a 63-year-old hard-liner and former head of Iran’s judiciary, is considered a close ally of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Some analysts have speculated that Raisi could potentially succeed the 85-year-old Khamenei following his death or resignation.
The tragic accident marks a significant moment for Iran, as the country grapples with internal and external challenges. The death of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian is likely to have profound implications for Iran’s political landscape and its relations with the international community.
