The Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi who was accompanied by his Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian have been confirmed dead in a helicopter crash.
The chopper, which also had Malek Rahmati, Governor of East Azarbaijan province; and Hojjatoleslam Al Hashem, Tabriz prayer leader onboard, crash-landed Sunday afternoon in the Varzaqan region.
According to the Cable, the search and rescue teams scoured the mountainous terrain amid heavy fog overnight, and found the wreckage early Monday.
Media Bypass News who had earlier reports that the chopper transporting the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian was reportedly crashed with their conditions currently unknown.
The Islamic Republic News Agency reports announced President Raisi’s death early Monday morning.
Raisi’s helicopter and two more helicopters were en route to Tabriz City on Sunday after he inaugurated the Qiz Qalasi Dam at the border with the Azerbaijan Republic.
Local officials at the crash site confirmed the death of Raisi and his entourage. The Iranian government said it would soon release an official statement.
The helicopter reportedly suffered a “hard landing” near Jolfa, a city bordering Azerbaijan, about 600km (375 miles) northwest of Tehran, the Iranian capital.
On X, the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi who was deepen saddened and also shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He said Raisi’s contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered while sent heartfelt condolence to his family and the people of Iran. “India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow”.
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa also deeply saddened by the air disaster that claimed the lives of Iran’s Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and personnel.
In a statement released by the Presidency on Monday, the President on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, offered deep condolences to the Supreme Leader of Iran, The Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, and the government and people of the Islamic Republic.
Ramaphosa, who as Deputy President paid a working visit to Iran in November 2015, said: “This is an extraordinary, unthinkable tragedy that claimed a remarkable leader of a nation whom South Africa enjoys strong bilateral relations and whom were honoured to the BRICS fold in Johannesburg in 2023.
“Our hearts go out to the affected families and the administration of Islamic Republic of Iran. We join Iran in this moment of mourning”, South African President concluded.
Also, former Nigerian Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode on X said the loss of President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran together with that of Foreign Minister Hossein Amir- Abdollahian and others is a tragedy of monumental proportions and a great loss to the world.
While commiserating with the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei and the Govt and people of Iran, he said there are much to learn about what really happened, “but to those that so readily accept the bad weather narrative that is being put out as the cause of the crash I say stop, think and do not be so gullible and naive”.
Fani-Kayode said, “Many are asking whether MOSSAD was involved and whether this was yet another black ops operation”, adding that this remains to be definitively determined but given the strange circumstances of the crash. “I would not be too quick to rule anything out.
“Whichever way the whole thing is a terrible blow to those that are interested in world peace and particularly to those of us that believe passionately in the cause of the people of Gaza and Palestine.
“There was no individual that was more committed to the Palestinian struggle than Ebrahim Raisi. May his soul and the souls of those that died with him rest in peace”, the Ex-Minister concluded.
Raisi, 63, was elected president on his second attempt in 2021. He was regarded as a potential successor to Ayatollah Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader, who has held the position since 1989.