According to US Senator Schumer, the incident in which Raisi died 'looks like an accident'
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated regarding the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several officials, "There is no evidence of foul play. It looks like an accident."
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US Senate Majority Leader Schumer held a meeting with intelligence officials yesterday.
Speaking to cameras at the conclusion of the meeting, while efforts to locate the wreckage were still underway, Schumer made a brief statement regarding the crash.
Schumer stated, "There is no evidence of foul play at this time.
It looks like an accident. There was very bad and foggy weather in the region in northwestern Iran where the helicopter went down. It looks like an accident, but it will be thoroughly investigated."
Noting that search and rescue operations are ongoing, Schumer stated that they are closely monitoring developments.
ABOUT THE HELICOPTER CRASH
President Raisi attended a dam inauguration ceremony on the Iran-Azerbaijan border yesterday. Raisi was involved in a helicopter crash while returning to the country with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and several other officials.
At Iran's request, Turkey deployed an Akıncı unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for search and rescue operations. The coordinates of the helicopter wreckage identified by the Akıncı UAV were shared with Iranian authorities.
Iranian teams that reached the identified location determined that there were no survivors from the crash.
Following the confirmation of Raisi's death, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber was appointed as acting president.
According to the Iranian constitution, a council consisting of the speaker of parliament, the head of the judiciary, and the first vice president must make arrangements for a new president to be elected within a maximum of 50 days.
In Iran, presidents are elected by the public from among candidates approved by the Guardian Council.
Iran's official news agency IRNA announced that the funerals of Raisi and his accompanying delegation will be held in Qom in the afternoon following a ceremony to be held in Tabriz tomorrow.