Unraveling the Allegations: Did US Sanctions Contribute to the Raisi Helicopter Crash?
Amidst the aftermath of the tragic helicopter crash involving prominent Iranian officials, fingers point towards US sanctions as a potential factor. As investigations unfold, the intricate truth behind this incident reveals a complex narrative beyond initial assumptions.
Even before Iran’s army chief Mohammad Bagheri initiated an investigation into the helicopter crash that resulted in the deaths of two top politicians, fingers were already being pointed at the United States.
As the body of President Ebrahim Raisi was carefully removed from the crash site, former Foreign Minister Javad Zarif bitterly stated on Iran’s state TV, “The United States is partly to blame for this tragic incident. By imposing sanctions on Iran's aviation industry, they have contributed to the loss of the president and his companions. The Iranian people and history will remember this crime committed by the US.” US officials quickly denied the accusations, calling them “unfounded.”
There are several possible reasons why the aging American-made Bell 212 helicopter from the Vietnam war-era may have crashed. Some factors could include poor maintenance or human error, especially in dense fog. Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu mentioned that it is still too early to determine the exact cause of the crash. However, early signs point towards it being an accident caused by the foggy weather.
A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi takes off, near the Iran-Azerbaijan border, May 19, 2024.
A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi takes off, near the Iran-Azerbaijan border, May 19, 2024.
Ali Hamed Haghdoust/Wana News Agency/Reuters
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Why did Iran choose to have both their president and foreign minister on the same helicopter, when there were three helicopters available to carry the delegation to the dam opening on the border with Azerbaijan that day?
When Raisi arrived at the Qiz Ghal’e dam on Sunday morning with his Foreign Minister, provincial governor, and the influential Imam of Friday prayers in Tabriz, the visibility was good.
The sun was shining brightly as Raisi greeted his Azeri counterpart, Ilham Aliyav, at the border on a bridge over the calm waters of the Aras river in the middle of the dam. It seemed like a good start to the day, with the previously strained relations between the two nations showing signs of improvement.
As the flight crew made their way to the regional center of Tabriz, where the president’s plane was waiting, the weather started to worsen along the chosen route.
Despite the decrease in seasonal rains, a new weather front was approaching. It brought cold and wet conditions, causing thick fog to envelop the rugged and remote 1,800 meter (5,900 feet) peaks along the direct flight path.
People mourn the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash the previous day, at Valiasr Square, on May 20, 2024 in Tehran, Iran.
The previous day, on May 20, 2024, people gathered at Valiasr Square in Tehran, Iran to mourn the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash.
Majid Saeedi/Getty Images
Why choose to fly over the mountains when it might have been safer to take a detour around them or go to a different destination?
Another question to consider is, given the bad weather and three helicopters available, why did they decide to have both the president and foreign minister in the same aircraft?
The crash, also revealed Iran’s lack of readiness to deal with a calamity of this nature.
There seemed to be no shortage of manpower, but they were hamstrung, lacking adequate technology.
In the middle of the night, as many medics, mountaineers, soldiers, police, and even the elite Revolutionary Guard Corps searched the steep mountain peaks and deep ravines, it was the Turkish drone AKINCI that first spotted traces of the helicopter.
TEHRAN, IRAN - APRIL 29: Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi officially welcomed Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid at Saadabad Cultural & Historical Complex in Tehran, Iran. (Photo by Sakineh Salimi/Borna News/Aksonline ATPImages/Getty Images)
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi greeted Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid at the Saadabad Cultural & Historical Complex in Tehran, Iran. The warm welcome took place on April 29th. The event was captured in a photo by Sakineh Salimi of Borna News. The leaders' meeting signifies the strong diplomatic ties between Iran and Iraq.
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It is surprising that a country that produces, uses, and sells long-range killer drones to countries like Russia and non-state actors like Iraqi militia and Yemen's Houthis does not seem to have a basic surveillance drone for the job.
Just before AKINCI started its systematic surveillance operations in the night sky, Iran had requested night vision helicopters from Turkey and Russia. This suggests that if they had such helicopters, they were unable to obtain them quickly enough.
This evening, which seemed crucial for Iran and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, showed that Iran's military strength, displayed through its network of allies in the Middle East and Russia, actually appeared weak.
Former Foreign Minister Zarif claims that US sanctions have weakened Iran's technological capabilities, but this assertion is also influenced by arrogance.
If the president's helicopter truly lacked quality spare parts due to US sanctions, why put the lives of the president and foreign minister at risk in a potentially unreliable aircraft? What other air transport options were available, if any? This raises serious concerns about decision-making.
Iran's presidents are constantly on the move, requiring reliable transportation. It would have been wise to prioritize planning for alternative options. Was it arrogance among the president's team or military leaders that led to this risky choice? Zarif mentioned that maintenance issues with the Bell 212 were foreseeable.
Hubris has a way of clouding our judgment, and this time, it has led to a tragic outcome for those affected.
Ironically, Raisi, who helped build Iran's image of strength, discovered that this facade crumbled when he needed it the most.
Editor's P/S:
The tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has sent shockwaves through the nation and raised critical questions about the country's preparedness and decision-making. While former Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has pointed an accusing finger at the United States and its sanctions, the underlying factors that contributed to this tragedy are complex and multifaceted.
The crash has exposed Iran's shortcomings in dealing with emergencies, despite its boasts of military strength. The lack of adequate technology, such as surveillance drones, and the dependence on foreign assistance for night vision helicopters highlight the need for Iran to invest in its own capabilities. Additionally, the decision to have both the president and foreign minister in the same aircraft, despite the availability of multiple helicopters, raises serious questions about the risk assessment and decision-making process within the Iranian government. The tragic loss of these top officials underscores the importance of prioritizing safety and having robust contingency plans in place.
