Iran: President Raisi Killed in Helicopter Crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash. The Red Crescent, which conducted the search, confirmed the death as the result of an accident that occurred on May 19. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and seven others were on board with Raisi, all of whom died, including bodyguards for the president, General Mehdi Mousavi, and flight attendants. The helicopter crashed in a remote mountainous area near Azerbaijan, about 100 kilometers from Tabriz, near the village of Tavil. Following news of the aircraft’s disappearance, aid from Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Turkey was activated, and the EU provided assistance via the Copernicus satellite system at Tehran’s request.

The accident occurred under adverse weather conditions and poor visibility caused by fog.

Iranian state television, reporting the news, called Raisi “a martyr of service,” and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, emphasized that there would be no power vacuum.

“The hardworking and tireless president of the Iranian people sacrificed his life for the nation. We assure the loyal nation that with the help of Allah and the support of the people, there will not be the slightest interruption in governing the country,” the Iranian government said.

“Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian have been known as loyal and reliable friends, have played a role in strengthening mutually beneficial Russian-Iranian cooperation, and a partnership based on trust is invaluable,” commented Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Indian President Narendra Modi also emphasized efforts for bilateral cooperation: “I am deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic passing of Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between India and Iran will always be remembered.”

According to Beijing’s Foreign Ministry, Xi Jinping called the Iranian president’s death a “great loss for his people.”

Messages of condolence came from the European Union through European Council President Charles Michel, from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, from the government of Japan, and from several other leaders.