Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were tragically killed in a helicopter crash in the mountainous northwest region of Iran, officials confirmed on Monday. The incident has created a significant leadership vacuum in Tehran during a period of heightened tensions in West Asia. The crash site was discovered with the help of a Turkish drone on Monday, and state-run media reported that there were no survivors.
“President Raisi, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, East Azarbaijan Imam of Friday Prayer Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, and several other passengers, has been martyred in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran,” Iranian ambassador Iraj Elahi announced on X (formerly Twitter).
World leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed their condolences and highlighted Raisi’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with India. Modi tweeted, “Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.”
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who had multiple interactions with Raisi, also expressed his condolences on X: “Deeply shocked to hear of the passing away of Iran’s President Dr Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H. Amir-Abdollahian in the helicopter crash. Recall my many meetings with them, most recently in January 2024. Our condolences to their families. We stand with the people of Iran at this time of tragedy.”
Raisi, elected in 2021 with the support of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had a prominent role in Iran’s hardline judiciary before his presidency. His tenure saw responses to significant events such as the anti-government protests following Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody in September 2022 and Iran’s direct attack on Israel.
According to Iran’s Constitution, the first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, will temporarily assume the presidency until a new election is held within 50 days. Ayatollah Khamenei assured in a televised address that there would be “no disruptions” in the functioning of the government.
During Raisi’s presidency, he emphasized enhancing the development of Chabahar port, a strategic initiative in Iran-India relations. An Indian state-run firm operates the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar port, and a 10-year agreement for Indian operations at the port was signed on May 13.
The helicopter crash occurred in East Azerbaijan province amid thick fog on Sunday, following Raisi’s inauguration of the Qiz Qalasi dam on the Aras river with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Rescue teams faced significant challenges locating the crash site due to the adverse weather conditions.
