The tragic helicopter crash claiming the life of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi has cast a somber shadow over the nation. Reports confirm the incident, which also resulted in the death of the Iranian Foreign Minister Hosain Amir Abdollahian, occurred this Sunday as President Raisi was en route to inaugurate a dam in the Azerbaijan province. The nature of the crash has sparked a myriad of conjectures, with some pointing fingers at Israel and the US, while others see the inner workings of power and politics at play. Notably, this is not the first time figures like Qasem Soleimani and Mohammad Reza Zahedi have been shrouded in controversy. Join us as we delve into the tales of these critical losses that have left indelible marks on Iran's political landscape.
Who was Mohammad Reza Zahedi?
Born in 1960, Mohammad Reza Zahedi became a pivotal member of the IRGC in 1980. As a high-ranking official within the IRGC-Quds Force, he played an integral role in both its air force and later as commander of its ground forces. While the US considers IRGC's Quds Force a terrorist organization, Zahedi was allegedly instrumental in overseeing Iranian militia and Hezbollah operations in Syria and Lebanon, making him a significant military presence in both nations. Israel Army Radio suggests that Zahedi conducted all operations against Israel arising from Syrian, Lebanese, and Palestinian territories.
The Death of Mohammad Reza Zahedi
Earlier this year, on April 2nd, Israel executed a massive air strike near the Iranian embassy in Syria. Israeli forces launched six missiles from stealth F-35 fighter jets at the embassy's consular section, resulting in Zahedi's untimely demise. The intense nature of the assault reportedly razed a building within the embassy compound to the ground, escalating tensions in the Middle East and positioning Israel against Iran and its allies. Iranian media claimed the attack resulted in the deaths of seven IRGC members, including senior officer Mohammad Reza Zahedi and his deputy Mohammad Haj Rahim.
Source: aajtak
Understanding Qasem Soleimani's Identity
Born on March 11, 1957, Qasem Soleimani was an iconic general within the IRGC, leading its Quds Force and responsible for the nation's extraterritorial military operations. Widely considered a hero in Iran, Soleimani reported directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and was integral in reinforcing the Syrian government against ISIS. His demise on January 3, 2020, in an American drone strike at the Baghdad International Airport, marked a dramatic turn in Middle Eastern politics.
Reactions to the Deaths of Zahedi and Soleimani
These high-profile deaths have stirred global turbulence, with Iran and multiple nations responding vehemently. These incidents are part of a pattern of targeted eliminations of critical Iranian figures who posed significant threats in the eyes of the US or Israel.
