Iran Army helicopter crashes into fruit market amid fear of possible US strike — What we know about causes and casualties
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Army helicopter crash Photograph: (X)
An Iranian Army helicopter crashed in Isfahan, killing the pilot and co-pilot, with reports of civilian casualties. The cause is under investigation, though a technical fault is suspected. The incident comes amid rising US-Iran tensions and ongoing nuclear deal disagreements.
Amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US, an Iranian army helicopter crashed in the central province of Isfahan on Tuesday (Feb 24). According to state media, the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the incident. The specific cause of the crash is yet not known. The crash comes amid threats of strike by the US amid ongoing nuclear talks and disagreements between Washington and Tehran over uranium enrichment and possession of nuclear weapons. The Iranian military on high alert as Trump continues to weigh options to strike Iran while building America's military strength around the country. Last week, a US-built F-4 fighter belonging to Iran's regular air force crashed in the western province of Hamadan, killing one pilot during a training flight.
Tasnim News Agency, which is associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that the helicopter was from the Iranian Army's Aviation unit and it crashed in the fruit and vegetable market area of Darcheh city in Khomeyni Shahr County, Isfahan Province. It said that the crash occurred due to a technical malfunction. Two market vendors were also killed in the incident apart from pilot and co-pilot. Reuters reported that Iran has a poor air safety record, with repeated crashes, many involving aircraft bought before the 1979 Islamic Revolution and lacking original spare parts for maintenance.
Iran-US tensions
Iran and US officials are scheduled to meet on Thursday for next round of nuclear talks amid Trump's warning that Iranian regime as well as its people will suffer if negotiations collapse. Tehran has warned of regional war if it is struck, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei stating that “nuclear energy is our undeniable right." Additionally, as per reports, Iran’s IRGC have taken charge of Hezbollah and are briefing Hezbollah operatives across Lebanon. Trump has insisted that the final call to strike Iran will solely be taken by him, quashing reports of rift within his team and General Daniel Caine's warning against the war in West Asia. All eyes are set at the Thursday talks after which the US president will take into consideration the advice of his special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff and decide if he will go ahead with ‘limited’ strike on the Islamic Republic.
