Staff Reports
Reports are emerging that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi may have perished in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province. According to Iranian state media, there are "no signs of life" at the crash site. Raisi, who had been in office since August 2021, was considered a likely successor to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The helicopter crash also involved Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem. The incident occurred during Raisi’s trip to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, where they had announced a joint dam project.
Too Bad so sad, boo hoo! Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash after an hours long search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest, state media reported.
Iranian… pic.twitter.com/JSrRGYclbT— Don Juan deKirk (@Donaldk63883315) May 20, 2024
This tragic event comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, highlighted by a recent Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel. Additionally, there are growing concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, as the country is reportedly nearing the capability to weaponize uranium.
Search efforts for the crash were hindered by adverse weather conditions. In the meantime, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Mokhber is expected to step in as the acting president. According to the Iranian constitution, the first vice president assumes the president’s duties in the event of death or incapacity, until a new election is held within 50 days. Mokhber, appointed by Raisi, is the highest-ranking vice president and next in line to lead the country.
