Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister were killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain with icy weather, according to an Iranian official. The crash occurred in East Azerbaijan province, and search teams located the wreckage. All passengers on board, including Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, died in the crash, which was confirmed by the Iranian Mehr news agency.
An Iranian official stated the helicopter was completely burned upon crashing on Sunday. State TV showed images of the aircraft crashed into a mountain peak, but the cause of the crash remains unclear.
State news agency IRNA reported that Raisi was flying in a U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter. Raisi, 63, who was elected president in 2021, had recently intensified morality laws, led a crackdown on anti-government protests, and played a significant role in nuclear negotiations with world powers. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reassured Iranians that state affairs would continue uninterrupted.
Rescue teams, battling blizzards and rough terrain, reached the crash site early Monday. No survivors were found, and Iran’s Red Crescent head, Pirhossein Kolivand, confirmed there were no signs of life among the passengers. The national broadcaster interrupted regular programming to show prayers for Raisi.
The White House confirmed President Joe Biden was briefed on the crash, while China and the European Union expressed concern and offered assistance. The EU provided emergency satellite mapping technology.
Raisi was considered a potential successor to the 85-year-old Supreme Leader Khamenei, who has endorsed Raisi's policies. Raisi's 2021 election consolidated hardliner control over Iran's government, after eight years of pragmatist Hassan Rouhani's presidency and the negotiation of a nuclear deal with major powers.
However, Raisi faced criticism due to widespread protests and economic challenges exacerbated by Western sanctions.
Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border on Sunday for the inauguration of the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, a joint project. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, who met Raisi earlier that day, offered assistance in the rescue efforts.