Iran Appoints Senior General To Investigate President Raisi Helicopter Accident, Russia Ready To Help

JAKARTA - Iranian military authorities launched an investigation into the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage, while Russia expressed readiness to help Tehran.

President Raisi and his entourage, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollhian, recently returned from an event on the border with Azerbaijan to inaugurate the dam project on Sunday, when their helicopter crashed in bad weather conditions in mountainous areas northwestern Iran.

Search and rescue officers found the crash site in the dense forest of Dizmar in East Azerbaijan Province on Monday morning after an 18-hour operation, hampered by thick fog, rain, and steep terrain in the area.

Iran's Chief of Armed Forces Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri has assigned a high-level delegation to investigate the helicopter crash, reported IRNA May 21.

The delegation was led by a senior high-ranking officer, Brigadier General Ali Abdollahi and has started an investigation. The results of the investigation will be announced after the mission is complete.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergey Shoigu in a telegram to Iran's Highest National Security Council Secretary (SNSC) Ali Akbar Ahmadian expressed his condolences, offering assistance in investigating the tragic incident.

"My deepest condolences for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. We mourn this irreplaceable loss with the Iranian people. I believe that his work will continue and he will be remembered for centuries," citing TASS from the press service of the Russian Security Council.

"I confirm our readiness to provide all the necessary assistance to determine the real cause of the crash of the helicopter (President) Ebrahim Raisi," he said.

Apart from President Raisi, those killed were Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azerbaijan Province Governor Michel Rahmati and Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, Friday prayer imam at Tabriz.

Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri, funeral procession for the late President Ebrahim Raisi and his entire entourage will be held on Wednesday, which was announced as a national holiday.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is said to be leading prayers for the late President Raisi and other bodies in Tehran.

Mansouri noted that a separate funeral ceremony will be held for President Raisi in South Khorasan Province on Thursday and he will be buried in his hometown, Mashhad, on the same day.