By Iranian officials expressed grave concerns about the fate of President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister after search teams located the wreckage of their helicopter in the mountainous terrain of East Azerbaijan province. The crash occurred in icy weather conditions, and hopes for their survival are fading.
An Iranian official, speaking to Reuters, stated, “President Raisi’s helicopter was completely burned in the crash … unfortunately, all passengers are feared dead.” The official’s statement paints a grim picture of the situation, suggesting that the chances of finding survivors are slim.
Rescue teams battled through blizzards and treacherous terrain throughout the night to reach the crash site, finally locating the wreckage in the early hours of Monday. Pirhossein Kolivand, the head of Iran’s Red Crescent, told state TV, “We can see the wreckage and the situation does not look good,” further dampening hopes for a positive outcome.
President Raisi, 63, was elected in 2021 and has since implemented stricter morality laws, overseen a violent crackdown on anti-government protests, and taken a hardline approach in nuclear negotiations with world powers. He was traveling in a U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter when the crash occurred.
According to Anadolu news agency, a Turkish drone identified a heat source believed to be the helicopter’s wreckage and shared the coordinates with Iranian authorities, aiding in the search efforts.
In response to the crash, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power in the country, sought to reassure the nation that there would be no disruption to state affairs. The chief of staff of Iran’s army ordered all resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guards to be deployed in the search and rescue operations.
The national broadcaster halted regular programming to show prayers being held for Raisi across the country. In the early hours of Monday, footage showed rescue teams searching the pitch-black mountainside on foot in a blizzard, using GPS devices to navigate the challenging terrain.
Several countries, including the United States, China, and the European Union, expressed concern and offered assistance in the rescue efforts. The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the reports of the crash.
The incident occurs at a time of growing unrest within Iran, as the country faces various political, social, and economic crises. The clerical rulers are under international pressure regarding Iran’s disputed nuclear program and its deepening military ties with Russia during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
President Raisi, a hardliner and potential successor to Ayatollah Khamenei, has been a strong contender to succeed the 85-year-old supreme leader. Khamenei has endorsed Raisi’s main policies, and Raisi’s victory in the closely managed 2021 election brought all branches of power under the control of hardliners.
However, Raisi’s standing may have been affected by widespread protests against clerical rule and the failure to improve Iran’s economy, which has been hindered by Western sanctions.
Prior to the crash, Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border on Sunday to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, a joint project between the two countries. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who had bid a “friendly farewell” to Raisi earlier that day, offered assistance in the rescue efforts.
As the search for survivors continues, the nation anxiously awaits further updates on the fate of President Raisi and his foreign minister. The crash has sent shockwaves through the country and the international community, highlighting the fragility of political leadership and the challenges faced by Iran in the current global context.
