Iran Helicopter Crash Kills President Raisi

President of Iran from 2021 to 2024

Politics & GovernmentDied on This Day
Iran Helicopter Crash Kills President Raisi

Overview

What happened

A helicopter crash in Iran resulted in the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials on board.

Date

May 19, 2024

Location

The crash occurred in Tehran, Iran's capital city, during a scheduled flight.

Key people

President Ebrahim Raisi, a prominent Iranian politician, was among the casualties.

Why it matters

This article provides a detailed analysis of the Iran helicopter crash that killed President Raisi, including the circumstances surrounding the accident, the response of the Iranian government, and the implications for the country's political landscape, as reported by sources such as the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) and the Iranian News Agency, Mehr News. By examining the crash and its aftermath through the lens of specific events, such as the declaration of a state of emergency and the deployment of security forces, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of Iranian politics and the challenges facing the country in the wake of this devastating event, which has been the subject of extensive coverage by news organizations such as the BBC and Al Jazeera. The article offers a unique perspective on the event, highlighting the need for transparency, accountability, and safety in government, and the importance of international cooperation and solidarity in times of crisis, as demonstrated by the response of the United Nations and the European Union, which have issued statements and taken actions in response to the crash.

What was Iran Helicopter Crash Kills President Raisi?

Ebrahim Raisolsadati (14 December 1960 – 19 May 2024), better known as Ebrahim Raisi, was an Iranian cleric and politician who served as the eighth president of Iran from 2021 until his death in a helicopter crash in 2024. A protégé of supreme leader Ali Khamenei and a Principlist, Raisi was the second and most recent Iranian president to die in office after Mohammad-Ali Rajai. Raisi was the son-in-law of Mashhad Friday prayer leader and Grand Imam of Imam Reza shrine, Ahmad Alamolhoda. He began his clerical studies at age 15. In the aftermath of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Raisi served in several positions in Iran's judicial system, including as Prosecutor of Karaj, Prosecutor of Hamadan and Deputy Prosecutor and Prosecutor of Tehran.

Raisi in the 1980s
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Background and consequences

Raisi was part of the Tehran branch of what has been called the "1988 Iran death commission". Under the direction of Grand Ayatollah Khomeini, thousands of Iranian political prisoners were executed by these commissions, and as a result of his involvement, Raisi earned himself the nickname: "Butcher of Tehran" and was accused by United Nations special rapporteurs and other organizations of crimes against humanity. He was Deputy Chief Justice (2004–2014), Attorney General (2014–2016), and Chief Justice (2019–2021). Raisi was elected to the Assembly of Experts from South Khorasan Province, for the first time in the 2006 election. He was Custodian and Chairman of Astan Quds Razavi, a bonyad, from 2016 until 2019.

Raisi speaking at a presidential campaign rally, 2017
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Why it matters

Raisi ran for president in 2017 as the candidate of the conservative Popular Front of Islamic Revolution Forces, losing to the moderate incumbent president Hassan Rouhani, 57% to 38%. Raisi successfully ran for president a second time in 2021 with 63% of the votes, succeeding Rouhani. Considered a hardliner in Iranian politics, Raisi's presidency saw deadlock in negotiations with the U.S. over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and large-scale protests throughout the country in late 2022, triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini on 16 September. During Raisi's term, Iran intensified uranium enrichment, hindered international inspections, joined SCO and BRICS, and supported Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.

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MLA

“Iran Helicopter Crash Kills President Raisi.” thisDay, thisday.info/history/iran-helicopter-crash-kills-president-raisi/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

APA

Iran Helicopter Crash Kills President Raisi. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://thisday.info/history/iran-helicopter-crash-kills-president-raisi/

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“Iran Helicopter Crash Kills President Raisi.” thisDay. Accessed October 19, 2026. https://thisday.info/history/iran-helicopter-crash-kills-president-raisi/.