Speculation Mounts Over Alleged Assassination of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi

X: @the_news_21

In a shocking turn of events, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, known for his hardline stance, was killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border. The crash has ignited speculation and accusations, with many suspecting the involvement of Israel, Iran’s arch-enemy.

Former Member of the European Parliament, Nick Griffin, voiced these suspicions, stating, “There are reasons beyond the obvious Gaza/Hezbollah/Iran/Israel tensions for Mossad (Israel’s national intelligence agency) to have been involved. It would not be a surprise…”

Griffin highlighted the timing of the incident, noting that Raisi and his Azerbaijani counterpart had recently inaugurated the Qiz Qalasi hydroelectric dam on their border. He described the dam as “a megaproject hailed as a symbol of ‘long-term cooperation’ and ‘friendship and amity’ between the two nations despite political disagreements in recent years.”

In an analysis shared on X, Griffin argued that “improving relations” between the two Shia states could help defuse tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He pointed out Israel’s vested interest in the conflict, saying, “Israel has been making big profits selling drones and other weapons used to devastate Armenian fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh. Iran has firmly backed the Armenians.”

“Keeping the fighting on the boil is thus a mixture of profit for the huge Israeli arms industry and ancient hatred,” Griffin added.

Iranian State media confirmed Raisi’s death at the age of 63, along with the country’s foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and seven others in the crash.

A social media user echoed Griffin’s sentiment, stating, “I suspect this was an assassination. We will see if Iran will investigate thoroughly. I suspect Israel is behind this.” Another user described Raisi as “a major strategist behind Iran’s proxy wars against Israel, the US and Saudi Arabia,” noting his reputation for brutally suppressing dissent.

Questions have also emerged about potential domestic involvement, given Raisi’s controversial tenure. Despite these allegations, an Israeli official told Reuters, “It wasn’t us,” and requested anonymity.

The theory of Israeli involvement in Raisi’s death gained traction amid recent escalations between Israel and Iran. Notable incidents include Israel’s assassination of Iranian General Mohammad Reza Zahedi in Damascus and Iran’s subsequent drone-and-missile attacks last month. Israel is also believed to have carried out numerous attacks targeting senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists over the years.

However, there is currently no evidence to support Israel’s involvement in the helicopter crash, and Israeli officials have not commented publicly on the incident. The crash’s true cause remains under investigation, as speculation and political tensions continue to swirl.