Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces released its initial report on the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others. The report indicated no external interference and confirmed that the helicopter followed its planned route before crashing into a mountainous area.
The crash, which occurred on Sunday, led to a fire on impact. The wreckage showed no signs of bullet holes or similar damage. Pre-crash communications between the helicopter and ground control were reported as normal. The crash site was located by Iranian drones early Monday morning, with search teams arriving shortly after.
President Raisi was laid to rest on Thursday at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, a significant Shiite pilgrimage site. He is the first top politician in the country to be buried at this shrine. Raisi, aged 63, had been considered a potential successor to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
Following the crash, Mohammad Mokhber has assumed the position of acting president. Iran’s next presidential election is scheduled for June 28, but no prominent frontrunner has emerged yet. Raisi’s death marks a significant moment in Iran’s political landscape, especially with the absence of a notable candidate from the Shiite cleric community.
