Iranian General Staff issues statement on helicopter carrying Raisi: 'No sabotage in the helicopter...'

The Iranian General Staff has released its second preliminary investigation report regarding the helicopter crash that resulted in the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials.

It was stated that the maintenance and repair records of the helicopter involved in the crash were examined and no issues were found in this regard, and that no emergency or interruption was reported in communication with the crew until 69 seconds before the crash.

It was reported that after the helicopter took off from Tabriz for its initial flight routes to the Aghband Bridge and Khoda Afarin Dam, the weather conditions were suitable for visual flight rules; however, in line with the documents obtained and the statements of the pilots and passengers of the other 2 helicopters, the impact of the weather conditions on the return route on the crash needs to be investigated in more detail.

It was emphasized that according to the examinations conducted on the wreckage and parts of the helicopter and the samples taken, no evidence of sabotage or electronic warfare interference was detected.

It was noted that investigations will continue until the root cause of the crash is found and the results will be shared with the public.

President Raisi lost his life in a helicopter crash on May 19 while returning from a dam inauguration ceremony on the Iran-Azerbaijan border. A total of 8 officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, also lost their lives in the crash.

The General Staff had reported in its first preliminary investigation report on the causes of the crash, published on May 24, that no traces of bullets or similar external objects were found on the parts of the helicopter.

News Source: AA