Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Killed in Helicopter Crash
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others (including Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian) were confirmed dead in a helicopter crash – or, as Iran State TV reported, “a hard landing.” What are the political implications of the “Butcher of Tehran” and other Iranian government officials dying in a helicopter accident?
Fox News reports on the immediate fallout of the fatal crash:
The death of Raisi, nicknamed the “Butcher of Tehran” for his oversight of mass executions of political prisoners in 1988, forced Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to install interim leadership for Iran’s executive branch. An Israeli official denied to Reuters the country had any involvement in the deadly crash, saying, bluntly, “it wasn’t us.”
Iran for years has backed the terror group Hamas, currently engaged in its monthslong war with Israel.
Iranian State TV said Monday that there was “no sign of life” at the crash site of the helicopter that was carrying 63-year-old Raisi, 60-year-old Abdollahian and other officials after it made a “hard landing” on Sunday.
Just to be clear, the president of Iran is in a government position directly under Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raisi, the “protégé” to the supreme leader, was considered the frontrunner to become the next ayatollah. Khamenei is 85 and has had a litany of health issues.
Two different public reactions unfolded in Tehran after the news of Raisi’s death. Many mourned in the streets while other civilians celebrated and set off fireworks. Raisi had killed thousands of his own people, so many weren’t heartbroken over the news.
The death of Raisi creates a power vacuum in Iran. It also raises a lot of questions. One primary question is, with the murderous “Butcher of Tehran” gone, will there be a chance for lowering tensions between Israel and Iran?
The government in Iran is vulnerable right now for the first time in a long while, with an important election coming up within 50 days (as required by Iranian law). Maybe – and I know this is a longshot – the regime smartly reads the room right now and understands what the Iranian people want. Rumors have been circulating of another possible revolution, and the regime doesn’t want to be overthrown. It could be a time for Iran to change course.
In similar news, the ACLJ is also trying to help save a Jewish Iranian, Arvin Ghahremani, who is on death row in Iran after killing a Muslim in self-defense. He was supposed to be executed today in Iran, but over the weekend, the ACLJ filed an urgent complaint with the U.N. calling for intervention in his case. Thankfully, his execution has now been postponed for one month. We will keep working to free Arvin.
Another shocking development from the Middle East is that the International Criminal Court (ICC) officially applied for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s defense minister. It’s outrageous that Israel continues to be demonized for its response to Hamas’ horrific October 7 attack.
ACLJ Senior Counsel for International and Government Affairs Jeff Ballabon reacted to the news:
The people advising the Biden Administration are themselves part of this global pro-terror, pro-Hamas network. They’re doing the work of the genocidal jihadis here using the White House. And that is the only reason that the international community that has long sought to destroy Israel feels it has the privilege of the imprimatur to do so. . . . Understand that they’re trying to outlaw Jewish lives. This is part of a genocidal front. That’s all it is. . . . I will actually quote the Bible . . . “Do not pervert justice through the law.” [Leviticus 19:15]. That’s what they’re doing. They’re using the law to pervert justice.
Though the world continues to unjustly attack Israel, the ACLJ remains committed to defending America’s greatest ally. Most recently, we filed a FOIA request demanding answers regarding President Biden’s recent betrayal of Israel. Also, sign our petition to raise your voice in support of Israel.
Today’s Sekulow broadcast included a full analysis of the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of the “Butcher of Tehran” and seven others. Former Acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell reacted to the news of the helicopter crash and the possibility of a change of course in Iran.
Watch the full broadcast below: