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Iran’s President Raisi, Foreign Minister Die In Tragic Helicopter Crash
Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian have been tragically killed in a helicopter accident.
Reports indicate that the crash took place in mountainous terrain during heavy fog over the weekend.
Nation Post learnt that the incident occurred near Jolfa, a city situated on the border with Azerbaijan, in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. The crash site is approximately 600 kilometres northwest of Tehran, the capital of Iran. Despite challenging weather conditions, rescue teams are working diligently to reach the location.
The crash site was initially unknown until a search party comprising rescue workers successfully located the wreckage and confirmed the deaths of the president and his minister.
Over 20 rescue teams were involved in the search efforts before the crash site was discovered.
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi
On Sunday, Raisi reportedly visited Azerbaijan to attend the inauguration of a dam with President Ilham Aliyev.
This dam represents the third collaborative project between the two countries on the Aras River.
Iran’s helicopter fleet includes a wide variety of models, but international sanctions impede the acquisition of spare parts. The majority of its military helicopters were in service prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
In a subsequent official statement, Iranian authorities announced the death of the President at the shrine of Imam Reza, stating that Vice President Muhammad Mukhbar is expected to assume the role of President.
However, this transition is subject to the approval of the Supreme Leader, as the constitution mandates the election of a new president within 50 days.
President Raisi, who was 63 years old, was elected in 2021 and was known for his firm stance. He previously served as the head of Iran’s judiciary and is considered a protege of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. Some analysts speculate that he may succeed the 85-year-old leader upon his retirement or demise.
