Iran President Ebrahim Raisi, foreign minister confirmed dead in helicopter crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian have died after their helicopter crashed on Sunday, Iranian state media confirmed.

The crash took place near Jolfa, a city on the border with the nation of Azerbaijan, some 600 kilometers (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran. 

Reportedly, the helicopter crashed when Raisi was returning from neighboring Azerbaijan as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, said news agency Reuters citing an Iranian official.

The rescuers, found the wreckage of the helicopter on Monday morning, almost over 12 hours later. The local media reported that ‘no sign of life’ has been detected at the crashed site.

After hours of searching through mountainous terrain amid bad weather, rescue teams located the crashed helicopter, however, the chopper was completely burned, an official told news agency Reuters.

"Upon finding the helicopter, there was no sign of the helicopter passengers being alive as of yet," state TV reported.

Apart from the Iranian President, eight other people onboard included Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Governor of Eastern Azerbaijan province Malek Rahmati, Tabriz's Friday prayer Imam Mohammad Ali Alehashem, a pilot, copilot, crew chief, head of security, and another bodyguard. 

The next in the line for the presidency is First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, if approved by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds significant power over country’s foreign policy. He reassured Iranians, saying there would be no disruption to state affairs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the tragic demise of Iran’s president. “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,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
Earlier, PM Modi had expressed concern over the reports of crash, saying, “We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress”.