Outdated Photo Allegedly Shows Iranian President Raisi After Helicopter Crash Rescue
The Claim
The Iranian president survived the crash.
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Emerging story
Against the backdrop of the helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, social media users circulated a photo purportedly showing the president in good health, allegedly after being found and leaving the crash site.
An X user shared the photo, along with the caption, “Bad News for Zionists. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is safe.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating photo and found the claim to be misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s team found the photo making the rounds to be older than claimed.
2022 Photo of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
Contrary to social media users’ viral claim, the photo is outdated. The original photo was uploaded to Alamy on July 31, 2022.
The Iranian Presidential Office shared the photo, saying it shows the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visiting Firuzkuh after floods in July 2022.
Reports indicate that on July 30, 2022, heavy rainfall in Firuzkuh, Iran, resulted in flooding. Iranian President Raisi inspected the disaster region.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society, citing local authorities, reported that recent floods have claimed the lives of at least 56 individuals, with 18 people still missing across several cities in Iran.
Iran's President's Helicopter Crash
On May 19, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister were involved in a helicopter crash while navigating through foggy mountain terrain, an Iranian official informed Reuters. Rescuers are facing challenges reaching the crash site.
According to the official, both Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian are at risk due to the incident, which occurred during their return from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan in Iran's northwest.
State TV mentioned that at least one passenger and one crew member had been in contact with rescuers. However, Iran's Red Crescent refuted claims of locating the helicopter.
An update from the Guardian indicates that search teams have located the crashed helicopter, as per Iranian state TV. However, there is no update yet on the condition of those onboard.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei assured the public that state affairs would continue smoothly despite the incident.
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