Helicopter Carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Reportedly Crashed in Azerbaijan This Morning
The condition of President Raisi and additional passengers onboard has not yet been confirmed.
(Tehran, Iran) A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdllahiah and additional passengers reportedly crashed upon landing in the Varzaqan region of Azerbaijan, Iran this morning (May 19), as first reported by The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
Photo and caption based in Tehran, Iran – "A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and senior officials in northwestern Iran has suffered a crash with no information available yet on potential injuries or damage," courtesy of the Islamic Republic News Agency.
With bad weather complicating search efforts, the condition of President Raisi and the additional helicopter passengers has not been confirmed as of this time. At 11.02pm EST, the news outlet Visegrad 24 posted via its X account, @visegrad24, that President Raisi is likely deceased following the crash.
At least 40 rescue teams, including drones and search dogs, and eight ambulances have been deployed to the search area, per NBC News.
According to The New York Times, the President's convoy of three helicopters was traveling back from official business after a ceremony to open a dam on Iran’s border. President Raisi’s helicopter was also carrying Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and the governor of East Azerbaijan, Malik Rahmati; state media reported that the two other helicopters reached their destination and landed safely.
Per The New York Times, Iranian law dictates if the president passes away, power shifts to the first vice president, and a new election must be held within the following six months. Iran’s first vice president is Mohammad Mokhber, a conservative leader.
Map of Iran courtesy of The New York Times.
The type of helicopter Raisi was flying in is unknown at this time but could date back as far as before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, according to an NBC News article; the article explained that while Iran flies a variety of helicopters, international sanctions have made it difficult for Tehran to obtain the required parts for them.
