Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, 63, has been found dead following a helicopter crash in a forested area near Iran’s border with Azerbaijan on Sunday afternoon. Raisi was on an official visit to northwestern Iran when the incident occurred.
The crash involved a convoy of three Bell 212 helicopters carrying a delegation of ministers. While the two other helicopters safely reached their destination, the one carrying Raisi and his Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, 60, did not. Both Raisi and Amirabdollahian have been confirmed dead.
After the tragic loss, the Iranian government has assured the public that it will continue to operate “without disruption” following the president’s death. The rescue effort, hampered by thick fog and harsh weather conditions, confirmed Raisi’s death early Monday morning.
Other notable figures missing from the crash include East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, representative of the Iranian Supreme Leader to East Azerbaijan. A post on Raisi’s official Instagram account has urged the public to pray for the health of the president and his companions.
The Mehr News Agency reported that the crash was due to adverse weather conditions, with rain and freezing temperatures complicating the search efforts for the 240 Red Crescent rescuers.
The rugged terrain, mud, and limited visibility due to fog further impeded the rescue operations.
President Raisi, a hardline conservative, had recently visited Azerbaijan, where he appeared with President Ilham Aliyev to inaugurate a dam.
Aliyev expressed his sorrow on X, reflecting on the tragic news shortly after bidding Raisi farewell.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, addressed the nation, urging calm and prayer for the president and the others involved in the crash.
Khamenei’s remarks on state TV emphasised the need for unity and hope during this time.
Raisi, a prominent figure in Iran’s political landscape, had a controversial history, including overseeing mass executions in 1988 and leading significant actions in Iran’s nuclear and military pursuits. As a long-time jurist and former chief justice, Raisi was considered a potential successor to Supreme Leader Khamenei.
Born on December 14, 1960, in Mashhad, Raisi came from a family with lineage tracing back to Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.
His early years were marked by the loss of his father at a young age, and he later rose to prominence as an ayatollah. His wife and two daughters survive him.
The nation now faces a period of mourning and transition as it comes to terms with the loss of its president and the implications for its political future.
