The exact circumstances of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s fatal crash are far from clear, but more details are emerging. Apparently even arch enemy USA was asked for help after the accident.
This was said by US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on Monday in Washington. “We were asked for support by the Iranian government,” he said, but remained tight-lipped on what exactly the request for help should have been. There is speculation that this could be for support in locating the helicopter or rescuing the victims.
After all, there was no help
“We said we were willing to help – something we would do for any government in a situation like this,” Miller continued. In fact, there was no assistance from the United States, “mainly for logistical reasons,” explained the spokesperson, who was also extremely vague about communications between the two countries.
The request is surprising given that there have been no diplomatic relations with the US since the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1997.
“A number of things could” have caused the crash
So far, only US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been more specific about the matter. All indications are that the crash of Raisi’s helicopter was an accident. Responsibility could be “a number of things – mechanical failure, pilot error, whatever,” he said.
Be that as it may, the US had ‘nothing to do with it. “That’s just a fact,” he also refuted several theories that the US could have had something to do with it. In the past, Iranian government officials have repeatedly blamed Israel or the US for security incidents in Iran.
US: Iran itself responsible for “decision”.
On Monday, former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif linked the helicopter crash to US sanctions banning the sale of spare parts for the aviation industry – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also came to this conclusion.
State Department spokesman Miller commented on Zarif’s comments, saying that ultimately the Iranian government itself was “responsible for the decision to fly a 45-year-old helicopter in adverse weather conditions.” Speculation continues as to whether bad weather, a technical malfunction or even an act of sabotage by arch-enemy Israel could have been responsible for the incident.
What really caused the crash?
According to international observers, a technical failure is also more likely because the president’s Bell 212 helicopter was more than 40 years old – especially since two other helicopters from the delegation had safely reached their destinations.
In any case, Iran’s air force is considered very outdated, and modernization is making little progress despite strict international sanctions. Many of the planes and helicopters predate the Islamic Revolution, when the country had close ties with the United States.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
