Iran’s military chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri, has ordered a thorough investigation into the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage. A high-ranking committee has been tasked with determining the cause of the accident, which occurred on Sunday in the mountainous region near the Azerbaijan border.
The crash resulted in the deaths of Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six other passengers and crew members. The wreckage was discovered early Monday after an extensive overnight search in blizzard conditions.
First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will serve as interim president until a new election is held within 50 days, as stipulated by Iran’s constitution. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on foreign policy and the nuclear program, announced five days of public mourning and extended condolences to the nation.
Khamenei assured that state affairs would continue without disruption. Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has been appointed as the acting foreign minister following Amirabdollahian’s death.
The crash occurred in the Varzeqan region north of Tabriz as Raisi returned from an official visit to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, a joint project with Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, who had bid farewell to Raisi earlier that day, offered assistance in the rescue operations.
Initial reports from state media showed the wreckage of a US-made Bell 212 helicopter scattered on a foggy hillside, with all on board confirmed dead. The exact cause of the crash remains unknown, and an Israeli official has denied any involvement.
The incident adds to the tension within Iran, which is already facing political, social, and economic crises, along with international scrutiny over its nuclear program and military ties with Russia. The region has been further destabilized by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and recent escalations involving Iran-aligned groups.
Raisi, 63, who was elected president in 2021, was known for his hardline stance, enforcement of strict morality laws, and a tough approach in nuclear negotiations. Despite his death, Khamenei emphasized that the Iranian government would continue its operations smoothly.
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