The search effort has been in depth, with greater than 60 rescue groups engaged.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his overseas minister died when their helicopter crashed because it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official informed information company Reuters.
Listed below are 10 factors on this massive story:
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“The servant of Iranian nation, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi has achieved the best degree of martyrdom while serving the individuals,” state tv mentioned as we speak. The incident occurred throughout President Raisi’s return flight to the Iranian metropolis Tabriz after he and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated the Qiz Qalasi Dam on their shared border. Video footage of the crash website will be seen here.
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The helicopter, carrying the 63-year-old President Raisi, Overseas Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and different officers, misplaced contact roughly half-hour into the flight. This sparked instant issues and a large search and rescue operation.
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Preliminary reports from Iran’s state media described the state of affairs as an “accident.” Iran’s Deputy President for Govt Affairs Mohsen Mansouri mentioned that two members of the president’s entourage had contacted rescue groups, suggesting that the incident may not have been catastrophic. Mansouri added that the Ministry of Communications had managed to slender down the potential crash website to inside a two-kilometre radius.
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Iranian state media reported that Deputy Overseas Minister for Financial Diplomacy Mehdi Safari claimed that the Tabriz Friday prayer chief had managed to talk with President Raisi, 63, through cellphone from the downed helicopter. “Mehdi Safari, who was current in one of many three helicopters carrying President Raisi’s entourage, mentioned the Tabriz Friday prayer chief had made a cellphone name to the president from contained in the crashed copter,” the report reads.
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Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged calm and guaranteed that there could be no disruption within the nation’s governance. “We hope that Almighty God will convey our expensive president and his companions again in full well being into the arms of the nation,” he said in a televised handle.
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The search effort was, with greater than 60 rescue groups, together with military, Revolutionary Guard forces, and police items, scouring the foggy, mountainous terrain. The cruel climate circumstances and heavy fog had considerably hampered these efforts.
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The worldwide group had expressed concern and provided help. Neighbouring international locations and organisations, together with Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia, Turkey, and the European Union, have pledged assist. The EU has even activated its speedy response mapping service to help within the search efforts.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed his condolences with a submit on social media. “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 all the time be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his household and the individuals of Iran. India stands with Iran on this time of sorrow,” PM Modi posted on X.
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Iranian Overseas Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani conveyed gratitude for the worldwide solidarity and affords of assist. US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the state of affairs, with a State Division spokesman confirming they’re intently monitoring developments.
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This incident follows a interval of heightened regional tensions, significantly in gentle of the Gaza battle and Iran’s current escalations with Israel. President Raisi, who has been in workplace since 2021, has pledged Iran’s steadfast assist for Palestine, a stance reiterated throughout his current dam inauguration speech.
