Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed on Sunday after a helicopter carrying him and several other high-ranking officials crashed in the mountainous northwest region of Iran. The tragic incident has plunged the nation into mourning and uncertainty.
Raisi, 63, was confirmed dead by Iranian media today, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Eastern Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, and Tabriz’s Friday prayer Imam Mohammad Ali Alehashem. The crash also claimed the lives of two pilots, three other Iranian officials, and security guards.
Drone footage from Iranian and Turkish news agencies revealed the helicopter had shattered upon landing. An Iranian official stated that search teams found “no sign of life” at the wreckage site.
Footage shared by the Iranian Red Crescent later in the morning showed sombre rescuers carrying bodies on covered stretchers through the forested crash site. The nation’s government held an urgent meeting with Raisi’s chair left vacant and draped in a black sash.
According to Iran’s constitution, a new presidential election must be called within 50 days. Raisi’s death is likely to trigger a power struggle among various ambitious candidates.
Rescue teams, facing blizzards and difficult terrain, located the wreckage in East Azerbaijan province early this morning. Their efforts were hindered by snow and fog. The helicopter was part of a convoy traveling through remote, foggy mountainous terrain when it crashed. Some onboard managed to communicate with rescue teams after the crash, initially raising hopes of survival.
Turkish authorities released drone footage showing what appeared to be a fire in the wilderness, suspected to be the wreckage. The coordinates indicated the crash site was about 12 miles south of the Azerbaijan-Iran border in the Arasbaran Forest. Iran’s Red Crescent mobilized 73 teams and detector dogs in the rescue efforts, with additional support from a Russian specialist mountain rescue unit.
Images on social media showed Iranian citizens mourning in the streets following the announcement of Raisi’s death. Raisi, who became president in 2021, was widely viewed as a loyal figure to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His presidency was marked by a hardline stance on issues such as the enforcement of Iran’s hijab and chastity law, which led to the detention and subsequent death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, sparking widespread protests.
Following Raisi’s death, Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, will assume the role of interim president, leading a temporary government alongside parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and judiciary head Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i.
Raisi’s demise has international implications, given Iran’s significant geopolitical influence and its alliances with groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other world leaders expressed their condolences, highlighting Raisi’s role in strengthening Iran’s international relationships.
The crash has added to the tensions in the Middle East, where Iran’s actions and alliances have a significant impact. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called for public prayers, emphasizing the continuation of government functions despite the loss.
Raisi is the second Iranian president to die in office, following the assassination of President Mohammad Ali Rajai in 1981. The coming weeks will be crucial as Iran navigates the aftermath of this tragic event and prepares for new elections.
