Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were found dead Monday after their helicopter crashed in dense fog. This incident leaves Iran without two critical leaders during a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Iran's President Raisi died in a helicopter crash – now it has been officially confirmed.
Died with him:
– Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran,
– Governor of East Azerbaijan,
– imam of Tabriz.
And also four crew members.
👀 pic.twitter.com/4pUoGvWQKT— D.Radka, #NAFO 🇨🇿🤝🇺🇦 (@DakdaR22) May 20, 2024
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei quickly appointed a little-known vice president as caretaker and assured the public that the government remains in control. However, the deaths are a significant blow to a nation already facing substantial internal and external pressures.
Iran has not provided a cause for the crash or suggested sabotage, noting only that the helicopter went down in mountainous terrain amid sudden, intense fog.
In Tehran, life continued with businesses open and children attending school, although there was a heightened presence of security forces. Later in the day, hundreds of mourners gathered in downtown Vali-e-Asr Square, holding posters of Raisi and waving Palestinian flags. Some men clutched prayer beads and were visibly emotional, while women in black chadors held photos of the deceased leaders.
“We were shocked that we lost such a character, a character that made Iran proud, and humiliated the enemies,” said Mohammad Beheshti, 36.
President Raisi, 63, was a hard-liner and former judiciary head, seen as a protege of Khamenei.
Footage shows some of the final moments of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi before he lost his life in a helicopter crash on May 19, 2024.
Raisi was en route to the city of Tabriz in northwest Iran, returning from a dam opening ceremony on the Azerbaijan border when the aircraft… pic.twitter.com/6E0s0pYk7D
— Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) May 20, 2024