Democracy Dies in Darkness
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other state officials crashed in foggy weather on May 19, according to state media. (Video: Joe Snell/The Washington Post)

No signs of life at President Raisi’s helicopter crash site, state media says

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There were no signs of life at the crash site of a helicopter that had been carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in the country’s mountainous northwest, according to state-run media, which said Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials were also on board. Early Monday, more than 12 hours after the crash was reported, rescue teams located the chopper, Iran’s Red Crescent Society told state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.

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The helicopter was one of three traveling through foggy weather in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province as the president returned from a visit to Azerbaijan. At least 40 rescue teams were heading to the area, but crews struggled because of the mountainous terrain and poor visibility, according to state media.
Raisi was elected president in 2021, widely seen as the choice of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, after a career in Iran’s judiciary. While in office he has overseen a tightening of morality laws, violent crackdowns on anti-government protests and Iran’s first direct attack on Israel.
One state-run channel called on viewers to pray for “the health of the president and his crew to come out of this accident in full health.” Khamenei posted on social media that he hoped “Almighty God will return the respected, esteemed President and his entourage to the arms of the nation.”
President Biden has been briefed on the situation, a White House spokesperson said.
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The helicopter was one of three traveling through foggy weather in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province as the president returned from a visit to Azerbaijan. At least 40 rescue teams were heading to the area, but crews struggled because of the mountainous terrain and poor visibility, according to state media.
Raisi was elected president in 2021, widely seen as the choice of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, after a career in Iran’s judiciary. While in office he has overseen a tightening of morality laws, violent crackdowns on anti-government protests and Iran’s first direct attack on Israel.
One state-run channel called on viewers to pray for “the health of the president and his crew to come out of this accident in full health.” Khamenei posted on social media that he hoped “Almighty God will return the respected, esteemed President and his entourage to the arms of the nation.”
President Biden has been briefed on the situation, a White House spokesperson said.
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