Iran President Ebrahim Raisi Helicopter Crash Cause of Death
On May 19, 2024, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed
when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed in the Dizmar forest near the
Azerbaijan border in northwestern Iran. The helicopter, one of three in a convoy, was carrying Raisi, Foreign
Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and several other officials back from the
inauguration of a dam project on the Iran-Azerbaijan border .
The helicopter encountered difficulties due to heavy fog and
bad weather conditions, leading to a "hard landing" in the
mountainous terrain . Search and rescue efforts were hampered by the inclement
weather, with heavy fog, rain, and eventually snow making it difficult for
teams to locate the wreckage . A
Turkish drone eventually identified a heat source in the crash area, leading
rescuers to the charred remains of the helicopter.
Iranian authorities confirmed that there were no survivors
among the nine passengers and crew on board. In addition to Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian, the governor of East
Azerbaijan Province and a senior imam from Tabriz were also killed.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced five days of
public mourning and appointed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim
president, as per the Iranian constitution. Khamenei sought to reassure Iranians that there would be no disruption
to state affairs .
The crash comes at a time of growing domestic unrest in Iran
over political, social, and economic crises, as well as international pressure
over Tehran's nuclear program and military ties with Russia . Raisi, a hardline cleric, had been seen as
a potential successor to the aging Khamenei
.
Messages of condolence poured in from Iran's regional
neighbors, including Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and Pakistan, as well as the European
Union, Italy, and Russia . Iran-backed
groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis also issued statements mourning
Raisi's death .
The crash represents a significant blow to Iran's leadership
and could have far-reaching political and security implications both within the
country and in the broader region. A new presidential election must be held
within 50 days, as per the Iranian constitution .
What was the role of President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran in Iran-Israel conflict
Ebrahim Raisi, who served as President of Iran from 2021
until his death in a helicopter crash on May 19, 2024, played a key role in
Iran's confrontational stance toward Israel during his tenure .
As president, Raisi presided over a period of heightened tensions
between Iran and Israel, with the two countries engaging in a "shadow
war" of covert operations and cyberattacks . In April 2024, Iran under
Raisi's leadership directly attacked Israel with drones and missiles for the
first time, in retaliation for a strike on Iran's consulate in Damascus .
Israel, aided by the U.S. and allies, managed to intercept most of the incoming
projectiles .
Raisi also oversaw Iran's support for Hamas, the Iran-backed
militant group fighting Israeli forces in Gaza. Under Raisi's presidency, Iran
continued to provide support to Hezbollah in Lebanon and other Iran-aligned
militia groups across the region.
Raisi's hardline stance toward Israel was in line with the
policies of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on
Iran's foreign policy . However, Raisi's death removes a potential successor to
Khamenei and could have implications for Iran's future approach to the conflict
with Israel.
Role of Israel in Ebrahim Raisi Killing
There is no evidence that Israel was involved in the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on May 19, 2024 . Israel has denied any role in the incident .Raisi's death occurred when the helicopter he was traveling
in crashed in the Dizmar forest near the Azerbaijan border in northwestern
Iran . The helicopter encountered
difficulties due to heavy fog and bad weather conditions, leading to a
"hard landing" in the mountainous terrain .
While some speculation has emerged regarding the possibility
of foul play given Raisi's controversial tenure and the challenges facing Iran,
experts find the theory of Israeli involvement unlikely . Assassinating a sitting president would be
an unequivocal act of war that would invite a fierce Iranian response .
Israel's strategic focus has traditionally been on military
and nuclear targets rather than high-profile political assassinations . The official explanation points to poor
weather conditions hampering the flight
.
Raisi's death represents a significant blow to Iran's
leadership and could have far-reaching political and security implications both
within the country and in the broader region
. However, the available evidence does not support claims of Israeli
involvement in the tragic helicopter crash.
