Iranian President dies in helicopter crash near Azerbaijan border

IRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian have died in a helicopter crash in the foggy mountains near the border with Azerbaijan, Iranian state media reported.

The crash, which occurred on Sunday (19 May), also claimed the lives of the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, several officials, and bodyguards.

The incident happened near Jolfa, a city on the border with Azerbaijan, about 375 miles northwest of Tehran.

The president had been travelling in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.

An unnamed Iranian official quoted by Reuters said the helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain and icy weather conditions.

Rescue teams located the wreckage in heavily forested terrain but detected no signs of life.

Pir Hossein Kolivand, the head of Iran’s Red Crescent, confirmed the dire situation, stating, “The situation is not good.”

Footage later emerged online showing drone operators searching the forested slopes, with Iranian media, sharing images of what appeared to be wreckage.

Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency reported that a Turkish drone located a “source of heat suspected to be wreckage of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi,” prompting Iranian rescue teams to head to the site.

Akinci UAV identifies source of heat suspected to be wreckage of helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi and shares its coordinates with Iranian authorities pic.twitter.com/0tZtMc5oaP

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) May 20, 2024

Earlier, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, sought to reassure the nation, stating that Iranians should not worry or be anxious.

He emphasized that “no disruption will occur in Iran’s state affairs.”

Raisi’s convoy had included three helicopters, and the other two had “reached their destination safely,” according to the Tasnim news agency.

State-run IRNA broadcast footage of an Iranian Red Crescent team walking up a slope in thick fog and live footage of crowds of worshippers reciting prayers in the holy shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, Raisi’s hometown.

More than 70 rescue teams using search dogs and drones were sent to the site, and the chief of staff of Iran’s army ordered all the resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guards to be deployed.

Raisi had been in Azerbaijan early on Sunday to inaugurate a dam with President Ilham Aliyev.

The dam is the third the two nations have built on the Aras River.

Raisi, 63, a hardliner and former judiciary chief, was seen as a potential successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

He won the 2021 presidential election, which saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history.

Under his leadership, Iran has enriched uranium to nearly weapons-grade levels and faced increased international tensions.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced five days of public mourning in response to the tragedy.

“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” Khamenei said in a statement.

Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber would take over presidential duties according to Iran’s constitution.

World leaders express condolences over death of Iranian President 

World leaders have expressed their condolences following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash.

In a short statement on X, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan extended his deepest condolences to the Iranian government and people.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the Iranian government and people over the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and those accompanying them following a tragic accident. We pray that God grants them eternal rest and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to their families,” he said.

“The UAE stands in solidarity with Iran at this difficult time,” he added.

خالص العزاء وعميق المواساة للجمهورية الإسلامية الإيرانية، قيادةً وشعباً، في وفاة الرئيس إبراهيم رئيسي ووزير الخارجية حسين أمير عبد اللهيان ومرافقيهما في حادث أليم. ندعو الله لهم بالرحمة ولعائلاتهم الكريمة بالصبر والسلوان، ونؤكد تضامن الإمارات مع إيران في هذه الظروف الصعبة.

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) May 20, 2024

Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also expressed his condolences on X.

“My sincere condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and the accompanying officials in the painful helicopter accident,” the Emir stated.

صادق التعازي للجمهورية الإسلامية الإيرانية حكومةً وشعباً في وفاة الرئيس إبراهيم رئيسي ووزير الخارجية حسين أمير عبداللهيان والمسؤولين المرافقين في حادث المروحية الأليم، سائلين الله تعالى لهم الرحمة والمغفرة ولذويهم جميل الصبر والسلوان. إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون.

— تميم بن حمد (@TamimBinHamad) May 20, 2024

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Raisi.

“My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran,” Modi posted on X.

Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran.…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2024

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his condolences, saying he will remember Raisi for “his efforts for the peace of the Iranian people and our region during his time in power.”

Geçirdiği helikopter kazasında maalesef vefat ettiğini öğrendiğimiz, değerli mevkidaşım, kardeşim, İran İslam Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanı Sayın İbrahim Reisi’ye Cenab-ı Allah’tan rahmet niyaz ediyorum.…

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) May 20, 2024

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani conveyed his country’s support for the Iranian people and leaders following the tragic incident.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, and to the nation of Iran, its government, and people.”

تعزية
…

ببالغ الحزن، وعظيم الأسى، تلقينا نبأ وفاة رئيس الجمهورية الإسلامية الإيرانية السيد إبراهيم رئيسي، ووزير الخارجية السيد حسين أمير عبد اللهيان، ورفاقهما، خلال حادث تحطم الطائرة المؤسف في شمال إيران.

وإننا إذ نتقدم بخالص تعازينا ومواساتنا إلى المرشد الأعلى للجمهورية…

— محمد شياع السوداني (@mohamedshia) May 20, 2024