The Sunday helicopter crash claimed the life of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Accompanying him were nine individuals including Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian. Iranian media confirmed the deaths of their President and Foreign Minister on Monday. An Iranian official reported that the President's helicopter was found completely burnt out.
Rescuers struggled for hours to reach the crash site due to the inclement weather, cited off the record as rain and fog. However, social media is abuzz with some Iranians calling it an Israeli 'conspiracy'. Questions are being raised, particularly as Iran openly supported Hamas amidst escalating tensions with Israel and both countries had exchanged claims of aerial assaults recently.
'Two helicopters returned safely, why did only Raisi's crash?'
Speculations of foul play swirl amongst Iranians on social media. They wonder how, out of the Presidential convoy's three helicopters, only Raisi's suffered the mishap.
An article by 'The Economist' suggests some Iranians believe Israel could be behind this tragedy. This conspiracy theory emerges amidst the context of ongoing Israeli strikes in Gaza and a retaliatory attack by Iran. Israel then warned Iran of serious consequences.
Early April saw an Israeli airstrike in Damascus, Syria, costing the life of Iranian Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Jahedi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This has led some Iranians to assert that Israel's hand may be behind Raisi's death. However, Israel has never openly targeted the heads of state of Iran, and has denied involvement in this incident.
What does Israel say?
In light of these theories, Israel's response has surfaced. A senior Israeli official, speaking to Reuters, emphatically denied any involvement in the crash.
Expert Views?
Experts refute suspicions of Israeli involvement in Raisi's death, stating targeting Iran's President would equate to declaring war. Historically, Israel has focused on military and nuclear-associated targets within Iran, not high-profile political figures.
'The Economist' notes significant reasons to reject a connection of Israel with Raisi's death, asserting how elimination of Iran's head of state was unprecedented and could provoke catastrophic responses from Iran.
President Raisi's helicopter crashed near a country friendly to Israel
Raisi's helicopter was en route to Azerbaijan's capital, Tabriz, from Tehran when it crashed near Virzekan, 50 kilometers from Tabriz. The location of the crash, being close to the border with Azerbaijan—a nation with known ties to Israel—adds another layer to the conspiracy theories. Azerbaijan's history of cooperating with Mossad is also cited in these speculations.
While the crash is officially attributed to hostile weather conditions, Iran's statement on rescue efforts being hampered by fog, winds, and heavy rainfall has been questioned. Footage of emergency responders battling through the mist has also been released by Iran.
America's stance on the conspiracy theories
US Senator Chuck Schumer has rejected the notion of conspiracy in Raisi's death, clarifying that US intelligence has so far found no evidence of foul play.
At a press conference reported by NBC News, Schumer indicated the bad weather in northwest Iran as the likely cause of the accident, though a full investigation is pending.
