In May of 2024, in Northern Iran an Iranian Bell 212 helicopter crashed in the Dizmar forest in the East Azerbaijan province, killing all eight people on board including some of Iran’s most prominent officials, namely President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The crash also claimed the lives of other key government figures and military personnel. Bad weather conditions (including heavy fog and strong winds) reportedly contributed to the twin-engine utility helicopter’s crash while on a routine government mission in the mountainous and densely forested region.
A delegation commissioned by Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagher launched an official investigation, determining that mechanical or human errors did not occur. Despite lacking evidence of any errors, some Iranian news outlets suggest that politically charged sabotage occurred because of the amount of significant government officials aboard the helicopter.
The loss of such high-ranking officials created a period of turmoil within Iran’s political landscape due to the newfound power vacuum within both government and military sectors: Raisi, served as President since 2021, and Amir-Abdollahiam, served as the Foreign Minister since 2021, both served a crucial role in Iran’s political and diplomatic missions, especially in regards to nuclear negotiations and relations. Following the helicopter crash, Iran declared a five-day national period of mourning in remembrance of the leader’s death. Immediately afterward, Mohammad Mokhber, who served as an advisor to former President Raisi, acted as the president of Iran until Masoud Pezeshkian won the Iranian election, officially assuming office on July 28, 2024.
