On 19th of April 2024, the helicopter carrying the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisolsadati (abbr. Raisi) died after succumbing to inuries in a helicoper crash near Dizmar Forest, Afarin County, Iran. The crash also led to the death of the Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian. A total of 9 people including the President and the FM died in the crash.
- President Ebrahim Raisi
- Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian
- Governor of Eastern Azerbaijan province Malek Rahmati
- Tabriz’s Imam Mohammad Ali Alehashem
- The Pilot
- The Copilot
- Crew Chief
- Head of Security
- Bodyguard
The country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei has named First Vice President Mohammed Mokhber as the Acting President.
Mossad Involvement
There has been unconfirmed reports on the internet that Mossad might have been involved in the crash. However, no evidence or official allegation or claim has yet come from any of the parties, including the government of Iran.
Condolences Pour In
Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation has extended his condolences to the former President and called him “a true friend of Russia”. Iran and Russia have shared deep relations in the recent past especially when the latter had helped Syria and Iraq (both close allies of Iran) combat ISIS in the region.
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India had also shared a tweet extending his condolences. He had tweeted that Raisi had a great contribution to strengthen the ties between Iran and India.