Iran's president helicopter crash: Iranian President Raisi missing | LiveNOW from FOX
Summary
TLDRIn a breaking news update, a helicopter crash on the Iranian border has raised concerns for the lives of the Iranian President and Foreign Minister, both on board. The incident has sparked fears and speculations about potential foul play, given the President's nickname as 'The Butcher of Tehran' and Iran's tense geopolitical landscape. While the power dynamics in Iran are complex with the Supreme Leader holding significant sway, the potential loss of the President, who was seen as a possible successor, could have significant implications. As details remain scarce, the situation is under investigation, with the possibility of this event impacting Iran's role in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Takeaways
- π A helicopter crash occurred on the Iranian border, carrying the Iranian president, foreign minister, and other officials.
- π An official statement mentioned that both the president and foreign minister were at risk, but information from the crash site was concerning.
- π€ There is uncertainty about the survival of the Iranian president and foreign minister due to the crash.
- π€ The Iranian president was being groomed as a possible successor to the supreme leader of Iran, who is 85 and not in the best of health.
- π₯ The potential death of the president could have significant impacts, especially considering his role as a hardliner in Iran's government.
- π The situation is still developing, with the hope for more clarity within the next 24 hours.
- ποΈ The crash could be seen as a sign of incompetence by the Iranian government, which claims divine support and legitimacy based on religious beliefs.
- π The incident might affect Iran's role and strategy in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as Iran has been growing bolder in its attacks.
- ποΈ There is speculation about the possibility of an assassination attempt, given the history of political murders and power struggles within Iran.
- π The lack of immediate confirmation on the president and foreign minister's condition raises suspicions and doubts about the regime's transparency and competence.
- π£οΈ The state media's reporting on the incident may not be entirely accurate or transparent, leading to further uncertainty and potential conspiracy theories.
Q & A
What is the main event being reported in the video script?
-The main event being reported is a helicopter crash on the Iranian border, which was carrying the Iranian president, the foreign minister, and other officials.
What is the current status of the Iranian president and foreign minister according to the script?
-The script does not confirm their status, but it mentions that both their lives were at risk following the crash, and the information from the crash site is very concerning.
Who is Michael Xantos and what is his role in the discussion?
-Michael Xantos is a foreign policy expert who was brought in to discuss and provide insights on the breaking news of the helicopter crash involving Iranian officials.
What is the significance of the Iranian president's potential as a successor to the supreme leader of Iran?
-The Iranian president was being groomed as a possible successor to the current supreme leader, who is 85 and not in good health, making his potential loss significant for the country's leadership dynamics.
What impact could the death of the Iranian president have on the country?
-The death of the Iranian president could be significant, potentially leading to a power consolidation among hardliners in Iran and discrediting the regime, especially considering the president's religious claims to legitimacy.
What is the role of the supreme leader and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in Iran's power structure?
-The supreme leader and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard hold substantial power in Iran, often overshadowing the president and other government officials.
What are the potential implications of the helicopter crash for Iran's government and its religious claims?
-The crash could discredit the government's claims of divine legitimacy and religious superiority, as it exposes a vulnerability in protecting its leaders, which contradicts their narrative that God is on their side.
What is the current state of Iran's infrastructure and economy as mentioned in the script?
-The script mentions that Iran is struggling with infrastructure issues, such as lack of water and electricity, and economic challenges, like high inflation and the inability of the average Iranian to afford basic necessities like gasoline and food.
What are the possible suspicions or conspiracy theories that could arise from the crash?
-There could be suspicions of foul play or an assassination attempt, especially given the history of political murders and the current power struggles within Iran's regime.
How might the crash impact Iran's role in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas?
-The crash could potentially discredit Iran's bold stance and proxy warfare strategy, as it highlights the regime's inability to protect its own leaders, which might raise internal and external doubts about its capabilities.
What is the significance of the statement that only one of the three helicopters in the group came down?
-The fact that only one helicopter out of three came down raises questions about who was on that particular helicopter and whether it was carrying the president and foreign minister, adding to the uncertainty and speculation surrounding the incident.
Outlines
π Helicopter Crash Involving Iranian President and Minister
The video script discusses a breaking news event where a helicopter crash on the Iranian border has occurred, carrying the Iranian president, foreign minister, and other officials. The situation is tense as an official has stated that both the president and foreign minister's lives are at risk, with information from the crash site being very concerning. The script introduces Michael Xantos, a foreign policy expert, to provide insights into the potential implications of this incident. Xantos highlights that the Iranian president was a possible successor to the aging supreme leader, and the crash could lead to a power consolidation among hardliners in Iran. The discussion also touches on the potential for the event to be perceived as a sign of incompetence by the regime, which claims divine legitimacy and is facing domestic issues such as water shortages and economic struggles. The lack of transparency from state-run media and the possibility of the crash being an assassination attempt are also considered.
π Speculations and Implications of the Crash on Iran's Role in Regional Conflicts
This paragraph delves into the speculation surrounding the helicopter crash, with the possibility of foul play or an assassination attempt being raised, especially given the president's nickname as 'The Butcher of Tehran' and his history of overseeing numerous executions. The script mentions a report from Reuters that only one of three helicopters in a group had crashed, and authorities were awaiting details. The video footage showed foggy conditions, which could have contributed to the crash. The discussion also considers the potential impact on Iran's strategy in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, suggesting that the crash could be seen as a sign of weakness and might affect Iran's use of proxies in attacks. The script speculates on the potential for blame to be placed on internal regime struggles or external actors like Israel. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the Iranian people's sentiments towards their government and the potential for this incident to further discredit the regime in their eyes.
π’ Expert Analysis on Iran's Political Landscape Post-Crash
In the final paragraph, foreign policy expert Michael Xantos continues his analysis, discussing the potential impact of the helicopter crash on Iran's political landscape. He emphasizes the significance of the event, given the Iranian president's role as a potential successor to the supreme leader. Xantos also addresses the regime's portrayal of itself as divinely guided and the potential for this incident to further discredit the government in the eyes of the Iranian people. The conversation concludes with Xantos expressing his willingness to provide further insights as more information becomes available, and the host thanks him for his expert analysis on this breaking news story.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Helicopter Crash
π‘Iranian President
π‘Foreign Minister
π‘Supreme Leader
π‘Hardliner
π‘Religious Legitimacy
π‘Incompetence
π‘State-Run Media
π‘Assassination
π‘Butcher of Tehran
π‘Proxy Wars
Highlights
A helicopter crash has occurred near the Iranian border involving the Iranian president, foreign minister, and other officials.
Reports suggest that the lives of the Iranian president and foreign minister are at risk following the crash.
The Iranian president was considered a potential successor to the current supreme leader of Iran.
The crash could have significant impacts, including the consolidation of power among hardliners in Iran.
The incident could be seen as a sign of incompetence by the Iranian government.
The Iranian regime's legitimacy, which is often based on religious claims, could be discredited by this event.
The inability to protect their leaders reflects poorly on the Iranian government's competence.
The Iranian regime is facing internal struggles and a potential succession crisis.
There is a possibility, however remote, that the crash could have been an assassination attempt.
The Iranian president's nickname, 'The Butcher of Tehran,' could influence public perception of the incident.
State-run media's transparency regarding the incident is in question, and details may be scarce.
Suspicions of foul play are likely to arise in such a paranoid political environment.
Only one of three helicopters in the convoy came down hard, raising questions about who was on board.
Foggy conditions at the crash site may have contributed to the incident.
The Iranian regime's role in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas could be impacted by this event.
Iran's recent bold attacks against Israel have not been as effective as intended, leading to questions about their strategy.
The incident could raise further doubts about the Iranian regime's ability to govern effectively.
Transcripts
live now from Fox and once
again we do want to show
you some. video from the
Iranian border with Asher
by Gene as the search is
now. underway following a
helicopter crash. the
helicopter. carrying the
Iranian president as well as
his foreign minister and
other officials and again,
we are continuing to
follow this uh an
official saying that both
the lives of the Iranian
president and his foreign
minister were quote at
risk following the
helicopter crash saying
quote we are still hopeful
but information coming from
the crash site is very
concerning. Uh, we do want
to bring in Michael
xantos, who is a foreign
policy expert to talk
more about this breaking
news and Michael. Thank you
so much for joining us.
You're very welcome. and
again. the information is
still very. scarce as this
is a breaking news
situation. but what can you
share with us? well it is
obviously clearly. in doubt
whether the running president
and the foreign minister is
still alive. and it's very
easy to dismiss it because
it's often pointed out that
the power is really in the
hands of the supreme leader
of Iran How many and the
Iranian revolutionary guard
and other Security Forces?
but he was being groomed as
a possible successor for the
supreme leader of Iran.
That is the ultimate
leader of Iran. who is 85
and that necessarily in
good health. And so there's
a variety of potential
effects of this but
1 of them being that he was
a possible successor to the
current supreme leader
of Iran. so again
leader of Iran
so again details are very
scarce and we were hearing
from an anonymous official
saying that uh, the
president's life was. uh
at risk along with the
foreign minister. Uh, but not
uh going beyond that. if
it were the case that the
Iranian president. was
killed in this helicopter
crash What would the impact
of that be? I think it
could actually be
significant. in some less
than obvious ways. He was
in himself a very much a
hardliner. So you see the
hardliners. the extreme.
hardliners in Iran,
unfortunately.
consolidating. power, but
especially in the
government that tries to
take the name of God and say
that that it's divine.
wishes that they're acting
on it and that they're
serving. Um, God behind it.
I think this is
discrediting because even
in a government that is
not extremely religious. and
fanatic. Um, when you can't
protect your leaders it can
happen unfortunately and
it's scary to the best
country God forbid even
ours. that um, you know,
people do die in plain
and helicopter crashes, but
it could be seen by the
running people. as 1 more
sign of incompetence. It
doesn't exactly go along
with the movie saying that
God is on their side and
that the US and Israel are
Infidel, so I think it is
actually discrediting it
might sound a little bit
silly to say but they are.
constantly. and only
speaking in religion. their
leadership only claims
legitimacy.
sounds bizarre in today's
world. 20 Century. based on
religion alone. and they
claim that they they will
win because of their
religious beliefs and that
the United States and the
West is evil. So I think
it's discrediting and and
then the less kind of
theoretical concept it it
doesn't reflect the
competence of this country
this government I mean the
system that is running out
of water. it is can't keep
things. cool as they have
hotter and hotter Summers
they barely have
electricity. They're 1 of
the largest producers of
oil. and natural gas and the
average Iranian can't afford.
gasoline and is struggling
to buy food. crashed is is
discrediting and makes
people. the doubts in this
regime. grow within the
country. and again this
information coming from the
state-run media when it
comes to being transparent.
uh, you know, when might we
expect additional details
and just how accurate might
they be. I mean, it's hard
to say but I mean you can't
cover up the if they did
in fact die, I mean it's
good that we're being
careful about it. You can't
cover up the
death of the president
and foreign minister, it's
good that you know in the
next 24 hours. cover up
the death of the president
and foreign minister. I think
that you know in the next
24 hours is probably much
less will start to gain
Clarity. They they
can't hide this. Um now
it's worth mentioning
another high-ranking
official of Iran back in
2017 Raph and suspicions
were raised about following
and the fingers by his own
family seemed to
be pointing at the regime
itself. So there's even a
possibility somewhat remote,
but not far-fetched that
this could have been some
sort of assassination.
itself. So there's even a
possibility somewhat remote
but not far-fetched that
this could have been some
sort of assassination attempt
if they survived or
assassination they die.
There could even be an
element of Foul Play There
are definitely going to be
suspicions some legitimate
and some crazy in
in such a paranoid country
because they have a murderous
government. Remember this
president had the nickname of
the butcher. of Tehran for
the number probably in the
thousands of executions he
oversaw at the end of the
1980s. He's he was known
or still is known as The
Butcher of Taiwan. This is
so in that kind of
environment. There's all
kinds of suspicions that
inevitably occur some well
based and some unfounded.
now according to reuter
they're uh quoting the
interior Minister saying
that the state TV that
only 1 of the helicopters
in a group of 3. had come
down hard and that
authorities were waiting.
for their details when
you're talking about uh
that 1 of 3 helicopters was
the only 1 that came down
hard again We did see a
video that appeared to
show very foggy conditions.
uh, you know, and and and
talking about again, uh, the
conspiracy theories out
there. Do you extrapolate
anything from that
statement or again? Is
this really just more of
a wait and see situation?
virtually a wait and see Um,
if 1 of 3 helicopters in a
convoy go down. That's a
question. of who was on it
was the president and the
foreign minister on the
same helicopter Are they
down? They can't locate the
helicopter which would be
concerning although it's
hard to be. feel bad for a
president. who's known as
the Butcher of Baghdad and
whose regime is responsible
for the death of so many.
American soldiers and
civilians. around the world
because Iran's largest state
sponsor terrorism, but um,
they don't seem to be
able to locate as far as
any reports that reached
here the president or
foreign minister you would
think that there's
communication there has to be
communication. on the T
helicopters You would think
normally with the president
that there would be backup
communication, but
not necessarily unlike this
country part of the
military. command and
control. Um, and he can
sometimes even be almost
relegated.
and that according to the
Constitution but in fact
almost relegated to
civilians to to to like a
figurehead if the supreme
leader come and he chooses
because so much power is a
mass in that supreme
leader. Who's very very
aging so it is strange
even in foggy conditions
that they can't seem and
would be troubling if you
care about their health and
it's hard to given the
amount of deaths around
the region. Arab Israeli.
American British Etc. leads
to that regime, but it's
it it it's strange that
they're not able to locate
or confirm that they're
alive. Even that is
strange and that makes me
doubt that they're still
alive or they're in at all
good condition. and
let's talk about a a Ron's.
Uh role in the ongoing.
war between Israel and Hamas
we have seen recently
Iran growing Bolder. uh in
their attacks typically as
as you know they use
proxies could this incident?
impact? that strategy at
all. Yes, I really do
think this is kind of this
crediting They had a massive
strike against Israel, which
was an entirely a dud
It does appear to have
been a few. listic
missiles that did reach and
cause some limited damage
to 1 Israeli Air Force
Space, but I suspect
that's because is atmospheric
Interceptor Arrow 3 is a new
newest an interception
outer space. is actually
video of an explosion
in outer space from it and
it's probably very limited
coverage and they probably
figured with this Air Force
Base they could just fly
the planes off in the 8
minutes it would take up
ballistic missile to hit.
or Israel may have heard
in shelters able to
Rez exists
anything but a nuclear
explosion and even
there they probably
have contingencies so and
I think that obviously the
coverage will be extended
you have hundreds of
projectiles fired at Israel
in virtually all of them
intercepted very much a dud
embarrassing to appears to
have covered up that
Israeli airline cruise
missiles. destroyed the
air defense of 1 that their
major. um nuclear sites is
a huge warranty that
Israel has the ability to
strike with accuracy and
impunity anywhere in around
so this is discrediting and
the fact that they cannot
even protect. their
president and foreign
minister and despite the
fact that their powers are
limited and they're not
always aware of everything.
it is very discrediting.
They can't even protect
their leaders. It's
going to raise doubts. did
somebody um within the
regime murder them,
you know as as the power
struggle grows with a
potential succession. there,
of course. going to accuse
Israel because they accuse
Israel in the United States
of everything or that's
very likely unless it's
just an obvious accent
that they have to confess
up to. um, and these are men
with an incredible blood
the president of Iran is a
bunch of Baghdad. There's
a lot of people in Iran
who despise this government
including the the president
or perhaps a former
president of Iran? Michael
zanto foreign policy expert.
Thank you so much for
joining us here on live
now from Fox to really
break down this breaking
news. We appreciate it.
You're very welcome. Have
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