Crash of Helicopter Carrying Iran President Ebrahim Raisi & Foreign Minister in Mountainous Region
Rescue efforts are being complicated by bad weather, according to a report from the state news agency IRNA.
And deccanherald.com
19.05.2024: In 3 choppers, Iran President Raisi, foreign Minister & other high profile officials were returning from a Historical meeting with Azerbaijan. The President delivered a historical speech also there in Azerbaijan about their friendship, neighborhood strong relation with Azerbaijan. Two copters with some officials are somehow safely arrived but the Helicopter with the President, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azerbaijan Governor & few Personnels crashes in near Jolfa Town (600 km away from Tehran) on the way of east Azarbaizan Province of Iran.
On Sunday, a helicopter carrying Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi crashed while crossing mountainous terrain near Jolfa Town, approximately 600 km from Tehran, in heavy fog. An Iranian official told Reuters that rescuers were struggling to reach the crash site. The official stated that the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were “at risk following the helicopter crash,” which occurred as they were returning from a visit to the Azerbaijan border in Iran’s northwest.
“We are still hopeful, but information coming from the crash site is very concerning,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Iranian state media reported that bad weather was one of the causes of the crash and was complicating rescue efforts. The chief of staff of Iran’s army ordered all available resources, including those of the elite Revolutionary Guard, to be utilized in search and rescue operations.
“It is dark and it has started raining, but the search continues. Rescue teams have reached the area; however, the rain has created mud, making the search difficult,” a local reporter told state TV.
State TV interrupted its regular programming to broadcast prayers being held for Raisi across the country, along with live coverage of rescue teams deployed on foot in the mountainous area amidst heavy fog.
Rescue teams were expected to reach the probable crash site later on Sunday evening. The crash occurs amid growing dissent within Iran over a range of political, social, and economic crises.
Raisi, 63, ascended to the presidency in 2021. Since then, he has enforced stricter morality laws, led a harsh crackdown on anti-government protests, and taken an assertive approach in nuclear negotiations with global powers.
In Iran’s bifurcated political system, which balances between the clerical establishment and the governmental framework, Raisi’s 85-year-old mentor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, wields ultimate authority over all significant policies. Khamenei has held the position of supreme leader since 1989.
For many years, Raisi has been seen as a likely successor to Khamenei, who has consistently supported Raisi’s principal policies. Raisi’s victory in a tightly controlled election in 2021 brought all branches of power under hardliner dominance, succeeding the eight-year presidency of pragmatist Hassan Rouhani, during which a nuclear agreement was reached with Washington.
On Sunday, Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalaisi Dam, a collaborative project on the Aras River. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who attended the event with Raisi, has offered assistance in the rescue efforts.
Several questions arise:
- Two of the three helicopters have returned; why has the President’s helicopter not come back?
- Why are the satellite telephone connection and GPS system down?
- Why did the President’s helicopter embark on its journey in such adverse weather conditions?
- Is there any indication of a deeper conspiracy behind the President’s helicopter crash, especially amid the critical conflicts and proxy wars involving Israel, the USA, and Palestine, and Iran?
State TV quoted an official as saying at least one passenger and one crew member had been in contact with rescuers. It also said the helicopter had been found, though Iran’s Red Crescent denied this report.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power with a final say on foreign policy and Iran’s nuclear programme, sought to reassure Iranians, saying there would be no disruption to state affairs.
Iranian state media said bad weather caused the crash and was complicating rescue efforts. State news agency IRNA said Raisi was flying in a U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter.
The chief of staff of Iran’s army ordered all resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guards to be put to use in search and rescue operations.
Earlier, the national broadcaster had stopped all regular programming to show prayers being held for Raisi across the country.
In the early hours of Monday, it showed a rescue team, wearing bright jackets and head torches, huddled around a GPS device as they searched a pitch-black mountainside on foot amid a snowy blizzard.
“We are thoroughly searching every inch of the general area of the crash,” state media quoted a regional army commander as saying. “The area has very cold, rainy, and foggy weather conditions. The rain is gradually turning into snow.”
Neighbouring countries expressed concern and offered assistance in any rescue. The White House said U.S. President Joe Biden had been briefed on reports about the crash. Turkey said it had assigned a drone, a helicopter, vehicles and a rescue team after a request by Iranian authorities. The European Union offered emergency satellite mapping technology.
The crash comes at a time of growing dissent within Iran over an array of political, social and economic crises. Iran’s clerical rulers face international pressure over Tehran’s nuclear programme and its deepening military ties with Russia during the war in Ukraine.