Russia ready to assist Iran in helicopter crash investigation

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu announced Moscow's readiness to help find the cause of the helicopter crash that led to the martyrdom of Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi.

Russia is ready to provide assistance to Iran’s investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, state news agency RIA quoted Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu as saying, Mehr News Agency reports.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the death of Raisi and called him “a true friend of Russia”.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian have martyred in a helicopter crash in the northwestern province of East Azerbaijan.

The helicopter carrying President Raeisi and his accompanying delegation crashed on May 19 in the Dizmar forest, nestled between the cities of Varzaqan and Jolfa in East Azerbaijan Province.

It was transporting Raeisi, Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, Friday Prayers leader of the city of Tabriz Seyyed Mohammad Ali Al-e Hashem , and a member of the president’s bodyguard team Mahdi Mousavi. The helicopter’s pilot, co-pilot and crew were also among others on board the chopper.