Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led funeral prayers on Wednesday for the late President Ebrahim Raisi and other high-ranking officials who were killed in a tragic helicopter crash on Sunday in northwestern Iran. The caskets of the deceased, draped in Iranian flags and bearing their portraits, were placed at Tehran University where Khamenei presided over the solemn ceremony. Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in the streets of Tehran to pay their respects, with the funeral procession carrying the caskets through the capital after the prayers.
Raisi’s coffin was distinguished by a black turban, symbolizing his lineage from the Prophet Muhammad. Khamenei eulogized Raisi in Arabic, expressing “Oh Allah, we didn’t see anything but good from him.” The helicopter crash on Sunday in East Azerbaijan province claimed the lives of Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and five others who were part of the president’s delegation. Iran declared five days of national mourning following the tragedy. Additional mourning sessions were planned in other cities, with Raisi expected to be laid to rest in Mashhad on Friday.
What was the Cause of the Helicopter Crash in Iran
The exact cause of the tragic helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and several others on Sunday has not been officially determined yet. However, based on the information provided in the search results, there are a few potential factors that may have contributed:
- Poor weather conditions seem to be a leading possibility. The helicopter went down in a “foggy, mountainous region” in northwestern Iran near the border with Azerbaijan. Fog and difficult terrain can significantly increase the risk of helicopter crashes.
- Mechanical failure or an aging aircraft could also be to blame. Iran’s aviation fleet, including its helicopters, is quite old with an average age of around 25 years due to sanctions limiting access to newer aircraft and parts. The specific helicopter that crashed, a Bell 212, was acquired before the 1979 revolution and Iran has faced challenges maintaining these aging aircraft.
- While sabotage cannot be completely ruled out, there is no evidence provided in the search results to suggest foul play was involved. The results note that helicopter crashes often occur due to pilot error, mechanical issues or poor weather rather than intentional attacks.
- Iranian authorities are still investigating the precise cause of the fatal crash that killed President Raisi and the other high-ranking officials. But the difficult flying conditions and Iran’s aging aviation fleet appear to be the most likely contributing factors based on the available information.