Conspiracy Theory Of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Helicopter Accident: Israel's Involvement To The Impact Of The United States Embargo

The helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi took off near the Iranian-Azerbaijan border, Sunday (19/5/2024). (ANTARA/Reuters/Ali Hamed/Irina/WANA/WANA/Spt)

JAKARTA Following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, social media was enlivened with conspiracy theories. The United States and Israel are accused of being responsible for the alleged murder of Raisi.

The news of the death of Ebrahim Raisi was confirmed by Iranian state media, Monday (20/5/2024). President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were found dead after rescue teams found helicopters crashing in a mountainous area shrouded in fog near the border of Azerbaijan and Iran.

Raisi traveled by helicopter because of the inauguration of the dam in collaboration between Iran and Azerbaijan.

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— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinklle) May 21, 2024

good luck MASSIVE function process for Iranian President Raisi has begun in Iran. pic.twitter.com/OETjrIEUIM

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced five days of mourning following Raisi's death, from May 20 to 24, 2024.

"I announce five days of public mourning and extend my condolences to the Iranian people," said Khamenei, who has the highest authority in Iran.

As a substitute, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will take the presidential position in accordance with Article 131 of the Iranian constitution. He will cooperate with Iran's legislative and judicial heads to prepare for a presidential election within 50 days.

Until now the cause of the fall is still under investigation. The Iranian military has even reportedly intervened. A number of experts pointed to bad weather played a major role in the accident.

According to aviation expert and former helicopter pilot Paul total, cloud cover, fog, and low temperature contributed to the crash of the Iranian President's plane.

"Unlike a fixed wing plane, helicopters cannot easily fly over the (bad) weather," he said, quoted by Al-Jazeera.

But this assumption was countered by Michael Maloof, a retired senior security analyst. At the same time, there were three helicopters in the presidential entourage, two of whom landed safely. Meanwhile, the presidential helicopter was lost in the fog of the mountains. When found, it was shattered. The helicopter suddenly fell, without any sign or any sign.

This made Maloof doubt that bad weather was the cause of Raisi's helicopter crash.

Even if it's foggy, said Maloof, why did the other two helicopters get back safely, while the presidential helicopter was not.

The riddle about the cause of the crash of the Iranian President's helicopter continues to be discussed. Other speculations mention the US and Israel as the masterminds of the crash.

Not without reason this accusation emerged. Iran's relations with Israel have been heating up since last month, after Tehran, which is fronted by Raisi and Khamenei, launched a missile strike in retaliation for the Iranian embassy attack in Damascus by Israel.

Citing theFirst Post, a conspiracy theory emerged that said Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, known for its ability to carry out operations in Iran, was behind the accident. This theory is based on the history of Israeli operations targeting Iranian military and nuclear personnel.

However, some observers think this theory is actually impossible. Killing the president who is currently in office is a direct act of war that has the potential to trigger a strong response from Iran.

Israel's targets are usually aimed at military and nuclear targets, compared to prominent political figures.

"There is strong reason to doubt Israel's involvement," said a report at The Economist.

They have never killed a head of state, an act of war that will clearly invite a fierce response from Iran.

Regarding this accusation, Israel insists it was not involved in the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. "It's not us," Israeli officials said, as reuters confiscated.

The helicopter used was Bell 212 type which operated in the 1960s, before the Iranian revolution broke out. According to retired US Air Force colonel Leighton, Bell 212 was originally produced by the US and then produced in Canada. He said Iran may have difficulty getting spare parts for helicopters over half a century old due to the US embargo.

In addition to parts issues, Western sanctions on Iran's nuclear program and bad weather in the region played a role in Raisi's helicopter crash.

"All of that, in my opinion, contributes to a series of incidents and a series of decisions made by the pilot and maybe even the president himself when he had to fly this plane... And unfortunately for them, the result was this crash," Leighton said.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials attributed the crash to the US embargo on aircraft and flight parts, which had a significant impact on the maintenance and safety of Iran's aviation fleet.

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the US unilateral sanctions had a negative impact on Iran's civil aviation industry. Therefore, Zarif stressed that he was indirectly responsible for the tragedy by banning the sale of flight parts and the necessary safety checks.

"This will be blacklisted against the US crimes against the Iranian people," Zarif said.