Raeisi’s passing won’t change Iran

The unyielding strife for freedom and dignity can never be suppressed. In the 1980s, the youth who battled apartheid drew inspiration from the resounding slogan ‘Freedom or death, victory is certain.’ This same fervour fuels the resolve of the people in West Asia, spanning Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. Consequently, any attempts by external forces to destabilise or oppress them have been fiercely resisted.

The current intense resistance in the region is a response to escalating brutal Israeli aggression, particularly against the Palestinian people. The affected states are steadfastly defending themselves despite facing an imbalance due to the superior weaponry of the aggressor, backed by the United States and European countries. Iran plays a pivotal role in securing the sovereignty of states in West Asia and preventing US expansion in the region. It is especially known for its strong support for the Palestinians. This has positioned it as a nemesis of Israel and the US, resulting in extensive demonisation by them.

Hence, amid the blockages of much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinians, the escalating death toll in Gaza and the West Bank, South Africa’s efforts at the International Court of Justice to secure a ceasefire, the issuing of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court, and the continued intense Israeli attacks in Rafah, the events of Sunday, 19 May, are undeniably a tragedy.

Many people were anxious when the helicopter, one in a convoy of three, carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raiesi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and several other passengers, went missing. The President and his delegation were returning from an opening ceremony of the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, the largest joint water project between Iran and Azerbaijan. The helicopter was understood to have executed a hard landing in mountainous terrain, making it difficult to find. Soon, footage of Iranians country-wide praying for their well-being emerged. Well-wishes for their safety and offers to send rescue teams started pouring in from across the world.

While most were focusing on locating the crash site, Israeli and US commentators were actively working to clear the two countries of any wrongdoing. Israel’s Channel 12 boldly announced President Raeisi’s death hours before the crash site was even located. It was only in the early hours of Monday morning that the site was discovered, confirming that the helicopter had been burned and that there were no survivors.