Iranian President Raisi and foreign minister die in helicopter crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died Sunday when the helicopter he was travelling in crashed in a mountainous region in the northwest of Iran.

The incident occurred during a return trip from the border with Azerbaijan, where Raisi had been inaugurating a dam on the Aras River alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, a hard-line diplomat, was also killed in the accident.

Details of the Accident

• Helicopter Crash: The helicopter carrying President Raisi and several other high-ranking officials experienced a “hard landing,” according to state media. The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, but bad weather and heavy fog in the area hindered rescue efforts. Several search and rescue teams were deployed to locate the crash site.
• Missing for Over 12 Hours: Rescue teams located the crash site on Monday morning after more than 12 hours of searching. Both President Raisi and his foreign minister were found deceased at the scene.
• Tributes have been sent by the leaders of Turkey, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and India. The European Union said on Sunday it was deploying its satellite resources to help with the search on Iran’s request.
• No Evidence of Foul Play: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that intelligence authorities found “no evidence of foul play” in the helicopter crash. The incident appears to be an accident, although a full investigation is ongoing.

About Raisi

President Raisi, 63, had been serving as Iran’s president since August 2021, leaves behind a complex and controversial legacy marked by a return to the Islamic Republic’s uncompromising principles and an aggressive foreign policy.

He was known for his hardline stance and close ties with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Before his presidency, he held influential roles, including Tehran’s chief prosecutor and head of the State Inspectorate Organization.

His most contentious role was his alleged involvement in the 1980s “Death Committee,” which he denied. Born in 1960 in Mashhad, Raisi was deeply influenced by the 1979 Islamic Revolution and earned a doctorate in Islamic jurisprudence and law.

Rising quickly through the judiciary, he supported the brutal crackdowns after the disputed 2009 presidential election and was sanctioned by the US in 2019. His presidency saw increased uranium enrichment, significant unrest, and a historic missile strike against Israel.

During his presidency, Iran experienced significant unrest, including the nationwide protests in 2022 after Mahsa Amini’s death in custody.

Despite his hardline stance, Raisi’s administration restored diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in 2023.