Iran is mourning the loss of President Ibrahim Raisi, who, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials, was killed in a helicopter crash. The wreckage was discovered in a mountainous, snow-covered area of East Azerbaijan province on Monday morning. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has approved Mohammad Mokhbar as the interim president for two months until new elections are held.
The crash occurred under severe weather conditions with heavy rain and dense fog, which has led to immediate questions and suspicions. Reports from Iran's official news agency and Reuters indicate that visibility was very low at the time of the crash. This raises critical questions about why the helicopter was allowed to fly despite the adverse weather conditions.
Three helicopters were involved in transporting President Raisi's entourage. While the other two helicopters reached their destination safely, the one carrying Raisi and the foreign minister crashed in rugged terrain. This discrepancy has sparked a debate and an investigation into whether this was an accident or a possible conspiracy.
In the aftermath of the crash, conspiracy theories have emerged, particularly focusing on Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad. Given the tense relations between Iran and Israel, and Iran's active role in supporting Palestinian armed groups and proxy forces in the region, some believe that Mossad could be involved in orchestrating the crash. However, such theories are speculative and not substantiated by concrete evidence at this stage.
Iran's strained relations with Israel have worsened in recent years, especially with Iran's support for Palestinian groups and its proxy forces in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. President Raisi was seen as a significant figure behind these efforts, which has led some to speculate that his death could be the result of a targeted attack.
The Iranian government has called an emergency meeting to address the crisis. Photos shared by the state news agency show Raisi's usual seat draped in a black cloth in his memory. The timing of mourning processions and other details will be announced later. The Supreme Leader's decision to appoint Mohammad Mokhbar as interim president is a temporary measure until new elections can be held within the next 50 days, as mandated by the Iranian constitution.
The tragic helicopter crash that killed President Ibrahim Raisi and other high-ranking officials has left Iran in a state of mourning and uncertainty. While investigations continue, the exact cause of the crash—whether it was an accident due to severe weather or something more sinister—remains unclear. The speculation and conspiracy theories reflect the broader geopolitical tensions in the region, particularly between Iran and Israel.
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