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 here are 10 factors on this large story:
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“The servant of Iranian nation, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi has achieved the very best stage of martyrdom while serving the folks,” state tv mentioned at the moment. 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 could be seen right here.
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The helicopter, carrying President Raisi, International Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and different officers, misplaced contact roughly half-hour into the flight. This sparked rapid issues and an enormous search and rescue operation.
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Preliminary experiences from Iran’s state media described the scenario as an “accident.” Iran’s Deputy President for Government 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 slim down the potential crash website to inside a two-kilometre radius.
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Iranian state media reported that Deputy International Minister for Financial Diplomacy Mehdi Safari claimed that the Tabriz Friday prayer chief had managed to talk with President Raisi, 63, through telephone 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 telephone 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 warranted that there could be no disruption within the nation’s governance. “We hope that Almighty God will deliver our expensive president and his companions again in full well being into the arms of the nation,” he acknowledged 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 situations and heavy fog had considerably hampered these efforts.
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The worldwide group had expressed concern and provided help. Neighbouring nations and organisations, together with Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia, Turkey, and the European Union, have pledged help. 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 put up 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 at all times be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his household and the folks of Iran. India stands with Iran on this time of sorrow,” PM Modi posted on X.
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Iranian International Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani conveyed gratitude for the worldwide solidarity and presents of assist. US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the scenario, 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 latest escalations with Israel. President Raisi, who has been in workplace since 2021, has pledged Iran’s steadfast help for Palestine, a stance reiterated throughout his latest dam inauguration speech.
