Iranian state media reported Sunday that President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were among those killed in a helicopter crash in the country after a "hard landing."
Tehran – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were killed in a helicopter crash in the country on Sunday, according to Iranian state media. The incident took place during a "hard landing" in the southern province of Kerman.
Initial reports indicate that the helicopter was carrying a delegation of senior Iranian officials who were visiting the region to assess the damage caused by recent flooding. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but weather conditions may have been a contributing factor.
Raisi, 60, had been in office since 2021 and was a prominent figure in Iran's conservative political establishment. He was considered a close ally of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and had played a key role in Iran's negotiations with the West over its nuclear program.
Amir-Abdollahian, 57, was appointed Foreign Minister in 2021 and was known for his tough stance on Iran's adversaries, particularly the United States and Israel. He was instrumental in brokering the release of several Iranians detained abroad and had recently been involved in talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.
The deaths of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian have sent shockwaves through Iran and the international community. President Hassan Rouhani, who preceded Raisi, expressed his condolences and ordered an investigation into the incident.
Foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, have extended their sympathy to the Iranian people and offered assistance in any way possible. The United States has not officially commented on the crash, but the White House is monitoring the situation closely.
The crash has raised questions about the stability of the Iranian government and the potential impact on the country's international relations. Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian were considered key figures in Iran's leadership and their absence will create a significant void.
Iran is currently facing a number of challenges, including economic sanctions, political unrest, and regional tensions. The deaths of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian could further destabilize the country and complicate efforts to address these issues.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing and it may take some time to determine the cause of the incident. However, the loss of two of Iran's top officials is a major blow to the country and is likely to have a significant impact on its future.
