Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi tragically died in a helicopter crash, on May 19. The helicopter, also carrying the Foreign Minister, collided with a mountain in northwest Iran and caught fire. The General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces has released a preliminary report on the incident on May 24.
The report indicates that external influences did not cause the crash.
The pilot had communicated with two other helicopter pilots returning from Azerbaijan just minutes before the crash.
There were no signs of distress or deviations from the planned route, and conversations between the crew and dispatchers revealed nothing unusual. Technical failure or human error are considered possible causes.
Adverse weather conditions and rugged terrain made the search for the helicopter challenging. The crash site was eventually identified by an Iranian drone after a search lasting over 10 hours. Earlier, it was reported that a Turkish Bayraktar Akıncı drone had located the site.
National Mourning and Funeral
Iran declared five days of mourning following Raisi's death. His funeral was held on May 23 in Mashhad, with large crowds paying their respects. Early presidential elections are scheduled for June 28 to fill the leadership void.
The crash has led to speculation about its causes, with experts considering technical failure or human error. President Raisi's death significantly impacts Iran's political landscape, as he had been in office since 2021.
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