Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has been confirmed dead following a helicopter crash in a mountainous and forested area of the country.
The crash, which occurred in poor weather, also claimed the life of Iranian Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, an experienced diplomat instrumental in the recent rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
The search efforts were hampered by severe fog and rain near the crash site in the Dizmar forest, nestled between the cities of Varzaqan and Jolfa in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. The cloud cover, fog, mist, and low temperatures likely contributed to the crash. Drone footage was later released of the helicopter in the steep mountain in the country’s East Azerbaijan province.
Tributes and condolences are pouring in from regional and international leaders. Several Middle Eastern countries have expressed their support for Iran and offered assistance in locating the helicopter, which was missing for hours after the crash.
Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line cleric close to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was 63 years old. He had served as a former judiciary chief and came to power after a landslide victory in a controversial election where many prominent moderate and reformist candidates were barred, resulting in low voter turnout.
Born in 1960 in Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city and home to the country’s holiest Shia Muslim shrine, Raisi started attending a seminary in the holy city of Qom at the age of 15.
As a student, he participated in protests against the Western-backed Shah, who was eventually toppled in the 1979 Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. After the revolution, Raisi joined the judiciary and served as a prosecutor in several cities while being trained by Ayatollah Khamenei, who became Iran’s president in 1981.
Raisi’s presidency was marked by anti-government protests that swept across Iran in 2022. He also faced ongoing calls from many Iranians and human rights activists for an investigation into his alleged role in the mass executions of political prisoners in the 1980s.
On July 12, 2023, Raisi visited Uganda to strengthen bilateral ties. He stated the need to expand cooperation in politics, economy, science, and technology, and called for effective implementation of existing memoranda of understanding (MoUs).
While meeting President Museveni at State House, Raisi sighted the exploitation of oil in Uganda and the necessity of creating and establishing refineries.
Regarding energy in general, and specifically the oil industry expressed interest in sharing expertise with Uganda in the areas of refineries and technical and engineering sciences.”
Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume powers following Raisi’s death. According to the Iranian Constitution, in the event of the president’s death or incapacity, the first vice president takes over until an election is held within a maximum period of 50 days.
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