Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, 63, has died in a helicopter crash, according to Iranian news outlets. The crash occurred in the mountainous northwest region of Iran. The helicopter was carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and seven other senior officials.
The tragic incident comes weeks after Iran launched a drone-and-missile attack on Israel in response to a deadly strike on its diplomatic compound in Damascus. Raisi, a hardliner, became president in an uncompetitive election in 2021 and was previously the chief justice, known for his repressive measures against dissent amid youth-led protests against clerical rule. He was the second-most powerful figure in Iran's political hierarchy, following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to the Iranian Constitution, the first vice president will assume office with the Supreme Leader's approval in the event of the president's death. The crash has thrown Iran into uncertainty as search and rescue teams scoured the fog-shrouded mountainous area.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Iranians not to worry about the leadership transition, assuring that there would be no disruption in the country's functioning. He expressed hope for Raisi's and his companions' safe return in a nationally televised address.
International expressions of concern and offers to help came from Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia, Turkey, and the European Union, which activated its rapid response mapping service to aid the search efforts. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani expressed gratitude for the international support.
State television first reported the incident, describing the helicopter crash in the Jolfa region. The harsh weather conditions and heavy fog made rescue operations challenging. Iran’s Red Crescent chief, Pirhossein Koolivand, and Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi confirmed the difficulty in reaching the crash site and establishing communication with the helicopter.
Following the incident, Iran's cabinet held an emergency meeting led by Vice President Mohammad Mokhber. Raisi's convoy included three helicopters, and the other two reached their destination safely. More than 60 rescue teams, utilizing search dogs and drones, were dispatched to the Dizmar forest area near Varzaghan.
