Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardliner long regarded as a prospective successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died in a helicopter accident in rugged territory near the Azerbaijan border, authorities and state media said on Monday.

The burnt wreckage of the chopper that crashed on Sunday, carrying Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, was discovered early on Monday following an overnight search in blizzard conditions.

What we know thus far:

• There were nine persons on board and no official word on the reason of the disaster.
• Iranian media reports that the two other copters in the convoy arrived safely.
• Pakistan will observe a day of sorrow and display the flag at half-mast.
• Rescue personnel braved blizzards and rugged terrain during night-long attempts, assisted by neighboring countries.

“President Raisi, the foreign minister, and all the passengers in the helicopter were killed in the crash,” a senior Iranian source told Reuters, declining to be identified due to the sensitivity of the situation.

Raisi’s death was later verified on social media by Vice President Mohsen Mansouri and shown on official television.

According to the Iranian Red Crescent, the remains of Raisi and those who killed in the crash have been recovered, and search activities have concluded.

“We are in the process of transferring the bodies of the martyrs to Tabriz” in Iran’s northwest, Red Crescent leader Pirhossein Koolivand said state television, adding that “search operations have come to an end”.

An Iranian official had told Reuters that the chopper carrying Raisi and FM Amirabdollahian was entirely destroyed in the collision on Sunday.

Raisi had visited the Azerbaijani border on Sunday to open the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, a cooperative project. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who said he had wished Raisi a “friendly farewell” earlier in the day, also offered help with the rescue.

Rescue personnel battled blizzards and rugged terrain all night to reach the wreckage in East Azerbaijan province in the early hours of Monday.

The airplane carried nine individuals, according to Tasnim news agency. According to the news agency, Raisi’s convoy included three helicopters, the other two of which “reached their destination safely”.

According to state television, photos from the scene show the aircraft colliding with a mountain peak, although no official reason of the disaster has been determined.

According to Iran’s Red Crescent commander, rescue personnel proceeded to the accident scene after discovering the aircraft.

“The helicopter has been located.” “We’re on our way to the helicopter now,” Koolivand explained. “We’re seeing the helicopter. “The situation is not good.”

“Upon finding the helicopter, there was no sign of the helicopter passengers being alive as of yet,” state TV stated roughly 15 hours after the aircraft disappeared.

Iranian media, notably the Fars news agency, posted drone photographs of what seemed to be helicopter wreckage.

On Sunday afternoon, state television stated that “an accident happened to the helicopter carrying the president” in the Jolfa district of East Azerbaijan province. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi stated that the chopper “made a hard landing” in adverse conditions.

Raisi, 63, was elected president in 2021 and has since ordered a tightening of morals rules, a brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters, and a strong push in nuclear talks with foreign powers.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who wields ultimate control and has the final word on foreign policy and Iran’s nuclear program, attempted to reassure Iranians, stating there would be no disturbance to state business.

The Iranian government will continue to run “without the slightest disruption” following Raisi’s death, according to a cabinet statement issued on Monday.

“We assure the loyal nation that the path of service will continue with the tireless spirit of Ayatollah Raisi,” stated the statement, emphasizing that the government’s activities will continue “without the slightest disruption”.

Condolences flood in for the ‘wonderful buddy’

President Asif Ali Zardari “expressed profound shock and sorrow over the tragic death” of his Iranian counterpart.

According to a statement published by the president’s office, Zardari “emphasised that the Islamic World has lost a remarkable leader who always supported [the] Muslim cause and deeply felt the sufferings of Muslims globally, particularly the Palestinian and Kashmiri people”.

“Today, Pakistan mourns the passing of a dear friend. We had the honor of hosting him in Pakistan last month. “During our discussions, I found him very interested in strengthening our bilateral relations,” President Zardari stated, referring to Raisi’s visit to Pakistan last month.

Zardari emphasized that the Iranian president “always had a special place for Pakistan and its people,” saying Raisi will be “dearly missed and fondly remembered in Iran, Pakistan, and the Islamic World for his efforts to improve relations with regional and Islamic countries.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to the Iranian people, saying Pakistan will commemorate a day of mourning and display its flag at half-mast.

“I had been monitoring the alleged crash landing of President Raisi’s helicopter with great concern. I hoped for good news. Unfortunately, this was not to be,” the premier said in a post on X.

“The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage,” he stated.

In another tweet, Prime Minister Shehbaz remembered Raisi and the foreign minister’s “historic visit” to the nation, saying, “They were good friends of Pakistan.”

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar — also the foreign minister — stated he was “truly aggrieved” by Raisi’s murder and “deeply saddened to know about the martyrdom of my friend and brother” FM Amirabdollahian.

“In President Raisi’s recent visit to Pakistan, he played [an] instrumental role in solidifying Pakistan-Iran ties,” the foreign minister said of his Iranian counterpart.

Dar remembered Raisi, saying, “Today Ummah has lost a great statesman.” Pakistan has lost a loyal friend.”

The Foreign Office (FO) stated that the government and people of Pakistan were “deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news of Raisi and FM Amirabdollahian’s martyrdom.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the martyr’s families and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We stand in sympathy with them throughout this national catastrophe,” it added in a statement.

The FO stated that the two were “esteemed leaders and statesmen” and that their efforts to strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations and regional cooperation will be remembered.

“Pakistan reiterates its commitment to strengthening friendship and collaboration with Iran, as envisaged by the late leaders. “May the departed souls rest in eternal peace in Jannah,” the message said.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also offered his condolences, noting that his recent encounter with the Iranian president was unforgettable.

Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stated, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the brotherly people of Iran, especially the families of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, following the tragic incident.”

The PPP chairman prayed for both leaders and expressed Pakistan’s condolences to their families as well as all Iranian brothers and sisters at this difficult period.

Former President Arif Alvi expressed “deep grief, sorrow, and regret over the loss of precious lives” in the incident, referring to Raisi as a “close friend and companion”.

“I found revered Raisi sahib to be highly diligent, ethical, and sympathetic to the Islamic world. “The deceased had a very knowledgeable, good-natured, and interesting personality,” he explained.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “deep sadness and shock” on Raisi’s untimely death.

“His contribution to developing the India-Iran bilateral relationship will be remembered. I extend my sincere condolences to his family and the Iranian people. “In this time of sorrow, India stands with Iran,” he wrote on X.