May 20, 2024
In a tragic incident, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, were killed when their helicopter crashed. The crash occurred while the convoy was returning from East Azerbaijan, where they had inaugurated a cooperative dam project with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The helicopter, part of a three-helicopter convoy, suffered a “hard landing” in a remote area near the Dizmar Protected Area in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province 1.
Details of the Incident:
- Helicopter Crash: The helicopter carrying President Raisi and other officials crashed during foggy weather conditions. State television confirmed that the missing helicopter was indeed carrying the president and his entourage.
- Passengers: Alongside President Raisi, the helicopter also carried Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati, and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to East Azerbaijan.
- Location: The helicopter fell in the Dizmar Protected Area, a wildlife corridor across the border with Azerbaijan. Initially, state TV reported that it fell near Jolfa, a city on the border, but later clarified that it was closer to the village of Uzi2.
Israel’s Claims: Israel has raised questions about the incident, claiming that they knew of President Raisi’s death before any official Iranian confirmation. The situation remains tense, and the presence of a person detected in drone footage near the wreckage has fueled speculation. Some are even suggesting that this was an assassination attempt, further escalating tensions in the region1.
As the world watches, emergency crews continue their search for President Raisi’s remains. The loss of a head of state in such circumstances raises concerns about regional stability and potential geopolitical implications. The international community awaits further updates as investigations into the crash unfold.
