Tehran, August 22, 2024 — The helicopter crash that claimed the life of Iran’s late President Ebrahim Raisi in May was caused by adverse weather conditions and the aircraft’s excessive weight, according to a report from Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency. Citing a security source familiar with the final investigation, Fars reported on Wednesday that the helicopter was carrying more passengers than allowed under security protocols, which, combined with poor weather, led to the fatal crash.
The helicopter, which crashed in mountainous terrain near Iran’s border with Azerbaijan, had been the subject of extensive investigation by Iranian authorities. A preliminary military report released in May had found no evidence of foul play or external attacks. However, the recent revelations provided by the security source emphasize operational failures, including the aircraft being overloaded.
“The investigation in the case of Ayatollah Raisi’s helicopter crash has been completed … there is complete certainty that what happened was an accident,” the unnamed source told Fars. The source further elaborated that two additional passengers, beyond the helicopter’s capacity as dictated by security protocols, contributed to the accident when the helicopter encountered unsuitable weather.
Despite these claims, the Armed Forces General Staff, which oversees the publication of information on such investigations, quickly dismissed the Fars report as “completely false,” according to state media. This statement has further fueled speculation and confusion about the true circumstances surrounding the crash.
Ebrahim Raisi, who was seen by many as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died in the crash, ending a prominent political career that had positioned him as a central figure in Iran’s leadership.
The conflicting reports from different branches of the government have raised questions about the transparency of the investigation and the true cause of the crash. As the nation continues to mourn the loss of a significant political figure, the full details of the incident remain shrouded in uncertainty.
