This Image Is Unrelated To The Iranian President's Helicopter Crash
The Claim
The wreckage of Iranian President Raisi's helicopter has been found.
News posted on
Emerging story
Recently, social media users have been circulating an image claiming to show the remains of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating image and found the claim to be misleading.
The Image Shows Texas DPS Helicopter Crash in January 2024
Misbar's team found that the image dates to January 2024, when a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter crashed in Kinney County.
On January 11, the helicopter faced an inflight emergency and crash-landed in a field. The crew was assisting a DPS brush team in tracking a group of migrants attempting to evade capture near a Texas ranch close to the border. Officials reported that the helicopter lost all power near North Farm-to-Market Road 1908, west of Farm-to-Market Road 131, leading to an auto-rotative descent and crash.
Iranian President and Foreign Minister Killed in Helicopter Crash
The assertion began circulating after President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were killed in a helicopter crash in the mountainous region of north-western Iran. The crash occurred on Sunday and was confirmed by state media. The helicopter was traveling in foggy conditions and reportedly made a hard landing near the border with Azerbaijan.
The president and foreign minister were in the area to meet with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and to participate in the inauguration of the Qiz Qalasi and Khodaafarin dams. Despite initial hopes that the crash was survivable, the Iranian Red Crescent confirmed on Monday that the bodies of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and others who perished in the crash had been recovered. The search operations have since concluded, and the organization is in the process of transferring the remains to Tabriz in Iran's north-west.
In the wake of the tragedy, Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed to assume the interim duties of the presidency. Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has been designated as the acting foreign minister. Iran's government has announced that elections will be held on June 28 to elect a new president. This incident marks a significant loss for Iran, as the nation mourns the death of its leaders and prepares for the upcoming elections.
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Outdated Photo Allegedly Shows Iranian President Raisi After Helicopter Crash Rescue
