Helicopter Wreckage Located
Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-liner who previously led Iran’s judiciary, became president in 2021 after a historically low-turnout election. His tenure has been marked by intensified repression of dissent, mass protests, and significant geopolitical moves, including Iran’s first direct attack on Israel. Raisi was also involved in the mass execution of political prisoners in 1988, an event that has left a lasting mark on his legacy.
The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Pir Hossein Kolivand, announced that the helicopter was spotted from a distance of about 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) early Monday morning. A Turkish drone had earlier suggested the location of the crash site on the side of a mountain near the village of Uzi in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.
The helicopter was one of three traveling in the region as President Raisi returned from a visit to Azerbaijan. Initial reports described the incident as a “hard landing” near Jolfa, a city on the Azerbaijan border. Later updates placed the crash site farther east near Uzi, with footage showing the wreckage on a steep mountain slope. Conflicting details emerged, but the grim reality was clear: no survivors were found.
Iran’s Political and Military Context
This incident comes at a sensitive time for Iran. Under President Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran recently launched an unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel. Additionally, Iran’s uranium enrichment has reached levels closer than ever to weapons-grade. The country has also faced years of mass protests against its Shiite theocracy, driven by economic struggles and issues of women’s rights.
The potential death of President Ebrahim Raisi raises significant questions about Iran’s future leadership. According to the Iranian constitution, the vice president would assume the presidency with Khamenei’s assent, and a new election would be called within 50 days. Raisi, viewed as a protégé of Khamenei, was considered a potential successor to the 85-year-old Supreme Leader.
Rescuers’ Efforts
Turkish authorities released drone footage early Monday, showing what appeared to be a fire in the wilderness, suspected to be the wreckage of the helicopter. The coordinates placed the fire some 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the Azerbaijan-Iran border on a steep mountain. IRNA footage showed soldiers locating the wreckage across a steep valley in a green mountain range.
Following the crash, hard-liners and state television urged the public to pray. Images of the faithful praying at key religious sites, such as Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad and locations in Qom, were broadcasted nonstop. In Tehran, citizens were seen praying and visibly emotional, reflecting the national anxiety over the incident.
The crash of the helicopter carrying Iran President Ebrahim Raisi is a critical moment for the nation. With no survivors found at the crash site, Iran faces a period of uncertainty and potential upheaval as it navigates this unexpected crisis. The nation’s response and the subsequent political developments will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
The story is still developing, we’ll keep you inform if any new information regarding this tragic event is revealed to the public.
