Iran's president, foreign minister and others found dead at helicopter crash site

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s foreign minister and several other officials were found dead on Monday, hours after their helicopter crashed in a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest, state media reported.

Meanwhile, Iran has faced years of mass protests against its Shiite theocracy over its ailing economy and women’s rights — making the moment that much more sensitive for Tehran and the future of the country.Among the dead was Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, 60. The helicopter also carried the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, other officials and bodyguards, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Condolences started pouring in from neighbors and allies after Iran confirmed there were no survivors from the crash. Pakistan announced a day of mourning and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X that his country"stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.” Leaders of Egypt and Jordan also offered condolences, as did Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Khamenei, who had himself urged the public to pray Sunday night, stressed the business of Iran’s government would continue no matter what. A hard-liner who formerly led the country’s judiciary, Raisi was viewed as a protégé of Khamenei and some analysts had suggested he could replace the 85-year-old leader after Khamenei’s death or resignation.

Under Raisi, Iran now enriches uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels and hampers international inspections. Iran has armed Russia in its war on Ukraine, as well as launched a massive drone-and-missile attack on Israel amid its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It also has continued arming proxy groups in the Mideast, like Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Helicopter carrying Iran's president found by rescue teams: Iran officialRescuers on Monday found a helicopter that was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which had crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran the day before.
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

Man United against Arsenal: Why Arteta’s success could be a blueprint for UnitedManchester United Manager Erik ten Hag hoping to follow in Mikel Arteta’s footsteps
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

'No sign of life' at crash site of helicopter carrying Iran's president, othersDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian state television said Monday there is “no sign of life” seen at the crash site of a helicopter that was carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and others.
Source: SooToday - 🏆 8. / 85 Read more »

'No sign of life' at crash site of helicopter carrying Iran's president, othersDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian state television said Monday there is “no sign of life” seen at the crash site of a helicopter that was carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and others.
Source: PGCitizen - 🏆 65. / 51 Read more »

'No sign of life' at crash site of helicopter carrying Iran's president, othersDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian state television said Monday there is “no sign of life” seen at the crash site of a helicopter that was carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and others.
Source: BurnabyNOW_News - 🏆 14. / 77 Read more »

Helicopter carrying Iran's president suffers a 'hard landing,' state TV says, and rescue is underwayDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suffered a “hard landing” on Sunday, Iranian state media reported, without elaborating.
Source: PGCitizen - 🏆 65. / 51 Read more »