Iranian president’s helicopter crash caused by bad weather, investigation finds

A final investigation report has concluded that the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May was primarily caused by bad weather, including dense fog, according to Iranian state media.

The report, conducted by Iran’s armed forces, found that all major repairs and replacement of critical parts on the helicopter had been carried out in accordance with standard regulations, and no defects or signs of sabotage were found.

The crash occurred on May 31 while Raisi was returning from an event in Azerbaijan with other officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian. The helicopter flew into heavy fog and lost contact with the lead helicopter, leading to a search and rescue operation that found no survivors.

Raisi’s death came at a critical time for Iran, facing conflict with Israel, economic struggles, and complex nuclear diplomacy. His passing prompted a special election won by a reformist candidate advocating moderate policies and improved Western relations.

The investigation’s findings contradict initial reports of “technical failure” contributing to the crash, and provide closure on the circumstances surrounding Raisi’s tragic death.