Public statements from the governments of neighboring countries

Iranian President Raisi and Foreign Minister Killed in Helicopter Crash in East Azerbaijan on Sunday

May 20, 2024, 05:54 AM

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian have been confirmed dead following a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province on Sunday. The crash occurred near Jolfa, a city bordering Azerbaijan, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran, in a mountainous and foggy region. All passengers on board, including other officials, also perished. The helicopter was reportedly completely burnt out. State media confirmed that rescuers found the wreckage and the bodies of the deceased. Raisi, a hardliner and potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was 63 years old. The crash was attributed to bad weather conditions.