Iran’s Hardline President Has Been Killed After His Helicopter Crashed In The Mountains

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Iran’s hardline president Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister have been killed in a helicopter crash while crossing the mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border.

Raisi was viewed as a close associate and possible successor of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Since winning the presidency in 2021, Raisi has tightened “morality” laws, brutally suppressed anti-government demonstrations and took a firm stance on nuclear discussions with international powers.

Known for his hardline views, he became widely unpopular over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini and the authorities' crackdown on the subsequent protests.

On Sunday, May 19, the helicopter carrying the 63-year-old president crashed during his flight returning to Tabriz after inaugurating the Qiz Qalasi Dam with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev on their shared border.

The chopper, which was carrying Raisi, foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and six other officials, lost communication just 30 minutes after takeoff.

As soon as the news of the crash surfaced, authorities initiated extensive search efforts, with over 60 rescue teams, including the army, Revolutionary Guard and police units, scouring the site in blizzard conditions for 18 hours.

Initially, state media described the incident as an “accident,” with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a televised address, urging the public to remain calm and “not worry” about their president.

After an overnight search hampered by harsh weather conditions and heavy fog, the burnt remains of the helicopter were found early Monday morning.

Videos and images from the wreckage scene showed a helicopter had slammed into a mountain peak, Reuters reported, quoting state media.

The Governor of East Azerbaijan Province and a senior imam from Tabriz were also killed in the crash.

Khamenei announced five days of public mourning and offered condolences to the “dear people of Iran.”

First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will now assume the role of interim president.

Iranian officials have not stated the cause of the crash.

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