Final Report on Raisi's Helicopter Crash: Weather Conditions Were 'Complex'

Approximately four months after the death of Ebrahim Raisi and his companions in a helicopter crash, the General Staff of the Armed Forces announced that the cause of the crash was 'complex climatic and weather conditions in the area' and the sudden creation of a 'dense, rising fog mass' that led to the helicopter colliding with a mountain. According to the final report of the high commission investigating the causes of the helicopter crash, published on Sunday, September 2, it was emphasized that 'all documents related to the maintenance and repair' of the helicopter from the time of its purchase until the incident were reviewed, and 'no problems were observed in the actions taken.' All stages of its acquisition 'complied with the necessary guidelines, decrees, regulations, and standards.' The report also stated that based on a 'thorough expert examination' of the flight plan, 'the helicopter was on the predicted route and did not deviate from this path,' and the revival of the iPad accompanying the pilot 'indicated the accuracy of the flight path information' and 'was consistent with the pre-determined route.' Additionally, tests conducted on the remaining parts of the helicopter at the Ministry of Defense's Aerospace Industries Organization showed that 'there were no defects contributing to the helicopter's crash.' The final report of the high commission investigating the causes of the helicopter crash carrying Ebrahim Raisi and his companions stated that 'the forecasts and warnings of unstable weather conditions' from the meteorological organization 'were consistent with the conditions that arose on the day of the incident.' However, the report noted that 'no emergency messages or alerts were issued by the helicopter pilot.' According to this report, 'the results of toxicological and pathological tests on the bodies' of the victims of this incident showed 'no suspicious findings,' and 'no signs of sabotage in the helicopter's components and systems were observed.' The General Staff of the Armed Forces also announced that 'the possibility of the helicopter being targeted by offensive and defensive systems, electronic warfare, and the creation of a magnetic and laser field' was investigated, but 'any involvement of the mentioned factors in the incident is ruled out.' Hamid Mohammadi, a defense journalist, previously told Voice of America that in these matters, the final word is spoken by the General Staff of the Armed Forces, even if the narrative is incorrect, the media are forced to reflect it as dictated. The helicopter carrying Ebrahim Raisi, the former head of the Islamic Republic government, crashed in the mountainous region of Arasbaran in northwestern Iran, and state media confirmed the death of him along with Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Mohammad Ali Al-Hashem, Malek Rahmati, and other passengers in the early hours of Tuesday, May 21. Some families seeking justice for the helicopter crash and the death of Ebrahim Raisi reacted by posting videos of dancing and celebrating; according to some of them, Islamic Republic officials have threatened some of the complainants that 'we will arrest you for your reactions.' The joy of Iranians over Ebrahim Raisi's death due to the helicopter crash has been widely reflected on social media, with some users responding to this event with humorous phrases and narratives; these reactions have also reached international circles.