Ebrahim Raisi Found Dead: Iran President Helicopter Crash Incident

President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, along with Elite Government Convoy of Four died in a Helicopter Crash, northwest of Iran on Sunday May 19th.

“Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still spoken?” ~ Terry Pratchett. This single quote sums it all whenever Ebrahim Raisi’s name would be remembered, praised and paid tribute to. The world reacts to the news of his death on confirmation after hours of searching for the helicopter debris and the bodies in the northwest mountains of Iran.

The Iran president helicopter crash cause still remains a controversial debate as initially, the weather is to blame, mostly due to fog and the difficult terrain through which the President and his convoy was traveling. However, the involvement of Israel and America is most likely the primary reason as Ebrahim Raisi was one of a few iron hearts to stand against Israel’s tyranny in Palestine.

Synopsis: Understanding the Real Picture to Iran President Helicopter Crash

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian have been confirmed killed after the helicopter they were traveling in crashed in poor weather. The accident challenges the country’s senior leadership as Iran sits in the midst of heightened regional and global tensions centered on the war in Gaza.

• The Crash Event

The helicopter, which was also carrying Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, went down in poor weather. The bodies of the people aboard were found on Monday morning, some hours after their helicopter crashed in Iran’s northwestern region, state media reported.

• Rescue Efforts

Rescuers from the Iranian Red Crescent had fought through dense fog, blizzards and mountainous terrain to reach the site of the crash in the East Azerbaijan province. On finding the wreckage, they had reported “no sign of life”.

• Casualties

The Iran president helicopter crash also killed the governor of East Azerbaijan province and other officials, bodyguards and crew members, according to the state-run IRNA News Agency.

• Cause of the Crash

State TV gave no immediate cause for the crash, but former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sought to blame the United States for the crash, saying it “has sanctioned the sale of airplane and aviation parts to Iran and does not allow the people of Iran to enjoy good aviation facilities”. 

• Consequences

Under Iran’s constitution, in the event of a president’s death, the vice first president takes over on a temporary basis. A new presidential election must then be called within 50 days.

• Reactions

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as the interim head of the country’s executive branch. He will be required to oversee the organization of an election to take place in July at the latest.

How International Media & Global Leaders Responded to Iran President Helicopter Crash Incident

• Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; “We send your country our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy. May God have mercy on them.”
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan; “I remember Mr. Raisi with respect and gratitude. As Türkiye, we will stand by our neighbor Iran in these difficult and sad times, as we have done many times.”
• Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; “A cable of condolences, wishing them [families of the deceased] and the Iranian people and solace.”
• NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah; “Western military alliance sends its condolences to the people of Iran for the death of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and others who perished in the helicopter crash.”
• Chinese leader Xi Jinping; “His unfortunate death is a huge loss to the Iranian people and also makes the Chinese people lose a good friend. The Chinese government and the Chinese people cherish the traditional friendship between China and Iran very much, and believe that with the joint efforts of both sides, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Iran will continue to consolidate and develop.”

Source: BBC, CNN

Post Iran President Helicopter Crash: Key Developments That Happened Since

• President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi was heading to the city of Tabriz in a helicopter, after returning from a dam opening ceremony on the Azerbaijan border
• Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian along with six others onboard the craft also died in the crash.
• The cause of the crash still remains unclear. Chief of Staff Army Staff, Iran Maj. Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri has launched an investigation.
• The funeral rituals for Raisi and his entourage were held today at Tabriz at 9.30 am local time, Iran.
• Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has announced five days of mourning
• Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed as acting president.
• Ali Bagheri Kani, former deputy foreign minister, now named foreign minister
• The election date for new Presidency has been set for 28 June

Ebrahim Raisi died at the age of 63 on May 19th, 2024 due to a helicopter crash in the northwest mountain range of Iran.