Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were tragically killed on Monday after their helicopter crashed in a mountainous region of Iran, according to state media reports.
The helicopter, which had been missing since Sunday afternoon, was located early Monday by rescue teams. Sadly, all on board, including Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian, were confirmed dead.
State television paid tribute to Raisi, describing him as having achieved the highest level of martyrdom in service to the Iranian people. Photos of Raisi were shown with a recitation of the Koran in the background, and Iran’s Vice President Mohsen Mansouri shared a Koranic verse expressing condolences.
The helicopter went missing in East Azerbaijan province while en route with nine people on board. Rescue efforts had been underway since the helicopter lost contact. Iran’s Red Crescent reported that the situation was dire upon finding the wreckage.
Drone images of the crash site were shared by Iranian media, showing the remains of the helicopter. The accident was initially reported on Sunday afternoon, with Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi attributing the crash to poor weather conditions and urging the public to rely on state television for accurate information.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei assured the nation that the leadership of the Islamic republic would remain stable despite the tragedy.
International reactions included expressions of concern and offers of assistance from countries such as Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia, China, Turkey, and the European Union.
An emergency meeting was held by Iran’s cabinet following the incident. The search and rescue operations involved the army, Revolutionary Guard, and police officers, as well as Red Crescent teams.
Raisi had been in the northwestern province to inaugurate a dam project with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. The crash occurred amid high regional tensions, particularly concerning the Gaza conflict.
U.S. officials were also monitoring the situation closely, with President Joe Biden being briefed on the incident.
Raisi, who took office in 2021, had been a prominent figure during a tumultuous period for Iran, marked by economic sanctions, protests, and regional conflicts. His presidency followed the moderate Hassan Rouhani, and he had emphasized Iran’s support for Palestinians in his recent public addresses.
