Supporters of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces offer condolences over the deaths of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and others, outside the Iranian embassy, in Baghdad,Iraq May 20, 2024
Credit: Reuters Photo
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in a mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border on Monday.
The charred wreckage of the helicopter which crashed on Sunday carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and six other passengers and crew was found early on Monday.
Following his death, the social media was abuzz about a foul play in the crash with bizarre theories. The social media has been pointing fingers at the usual suspect -- Israel. Since it has been a long-standing foe of the Shia country, it is quite natural that Israel is being seen as a potential suspect.
Among all the theories doing the rounds, there were also prejudiced stories made up about the space-based laser weapon and succession game by Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son.
A Jewish geopolitical analyst Benjamin Rubin Stein in a post on X wrote, "We cannot rule out Zionist sabotage, a full investigation will reveal the truth."
According to a report by The Telegraph, the first hints of foul play in the crash were hinted by an expert on Iranian State Television, following which a series of conspiracy theories have been making rounds on social media.
According to the publication, Foad Izadi who is an educator and expert said on the Iranian State Television, "When a helicopter faces an accident, it might be caused by a technical issue or maybe weather conditions – but there are other scenarios."
Foad indicated possible involvement of Israel and said, "We have an issue in the republic of Azerbaijan and that is the presence of the Zionists and Mossad in that region. It will be investigated. We have respect for our neighbours, but we should not get targeted from their territories."
Pilot of chopper compromised
Netizens said that pilot of the chopper was compromised, while some pointed out that how come out of the three helicopters, two escaped and only the one ferrying the Iranian President met an ill-fate.
Although Iran hasn't stated the reason of the crash but told the state media that heavy rain and fog led to the hard landing of the helicopter.
The Iranian authorities have not yet called the chopper crash incident an assassination.
Some criticised the United States for the crash of the helicopter, citing the American sanctions on aviation parts as Iran still counts on outworn American choppers.
According to another report by The Telegraph, Former Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif blamed said, "One of the culprits behind yesterday’s tragedy is the United States, because of its sanctions that bar Iran from procuring essential aviation parts."
Zarif added, "These will be recorded in the list of US crimes against the Iranian people."
An Indian X user said in a post, "Direct Energy Weapons aren't a conspiracy theory. The technology is already being used…!! If nobody else is going to say it then I will. The president of Iran obviously had his helicopter shot out of the sky by a space laser!"
Another user said, "If nobody else is going to say it then I will. The president of Iran obviously had his helicopter shot out of the sky by a space laser!"
Iran's Supreme leader Ali Khamenei announced that First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber would be serving as the acting president until elections.
Former advisor to Iran Gabriel Noronha on X said, "If Raisi is indeed dead, the key takeaway is not really who succeeds him (that’s the 1st VP Mohammad Mokhber, but only as a caretaker for 50 days before an election). It’s the fact that the next Supreme Leader is most likely Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei."
He added, "Internal pundits had believed the competition to succeed Khamenei as Supreme Leader was down to Mojtaba and Raisi. If Raisi is dead, Mojtaba becomes heir apparent."
Another X user wrote, "Mossad planted a mountain in the flight path of the helicopter carrying Ebrahim's Raisi. Mountain 1 - 0 Helicopter."