在經過10多個小時的搜索後，63歲的伊朗總統萊希確定在靠近亞塞拜然山區發生的空難事故中罹難，機上的其他8位官員也全部身亡。萊希在2021年成為伊朗的第13屆總統，17歲就投入政治。他是著名的宗教人士，曾掌控資金規模龐大的宗教基金會，長期以反美立場鞏固其政治權力，被何梅尼內定為接班人。雖然身為保守教義派人士，但在與美國的核子武器問題談判上，展現出務實態度。目前他的遺體已經被運往公墓，全國將默哀5日，副總統將暫代總統職務。

美國在第一時間就表示經過調查是意外，而伊朗則歸咎於美國長期的封鎖政策，導致超過50年的貝爾212直升機無法取得零件進行維修，間接導致這場意外的發生。

After more than 10 hours of searching, it was confirmed that 63-year-old Iranian President Raisi died in a chopper crash near the Azerbaijani mountainous region. All eight other officials on board were also killed.

Raisi became Iran's 13th president in 2021 and entered politics at the age of 17. He was a prominent religious figure who managed a large religious foundation's funds and strengthened his political power with a strong anti-American stance, being designated by Khomeini as his successor. Although a conservative cleric, he displayed a pragmatic approach in negotiations with the United States on nuclear weapons issues. His body has now been transported to a cemetery, and the nation will observe a five-day mourning period. The Vice President will temporarily assume the duties of the president.

The United States immediately stated that their investigation determined the crash was an accident. However, Iran blamed the incident on the long-term sanctions imposed by the U.S., which prevented the over-50-year-old Bell 212 chopper from obtaining parts for maintenance, indirectly leading to the accident.

照片:DALLE3