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Helicopter Carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Crashes
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several other high-ranking officials has crashed in Iran's East Azerbaijan province. The helicopter was reportedly carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati, and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to East Azerbaijan.
The helicopter crashed while returning from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan, where Raisi and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated a cooperative dam project. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but officials have said that poor weather conditions may have been a factor.
Rescue crews have been dispatched to the crash site, but efforts have been hampered by heavy rain, fog, and wind. The area where the helicopter crashed is a remote and mountainous region, making it difficult for rescuers to reach the site.
The crash has raised concerns about the safety of Iran's aging helicopter fleet. Many of Iran's helicopters date back to before the country's 1979 Islamic revolution, and due to sanctions and financial constraints, Iran has had difficulties purchasing spare parts and maintaining its helicopters.
Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume power in Raisi's absence or while he recovers, should that be needed. Mokhber holds a PhD in international law and has been the head of the trustees charged with overseeing the execution of Ayatollah Khamenei's orders since 2007.
The crash is a major setback for Iran, and it is unclear when or if Raisi will be able to return to his duties. The crash has also raised questions about the safety of Iran's aging helicopter fleet.
Source: President Raisi’s helicopter crashes in Iran: What we know so far