A preliminary report on the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has found no signs of criminal activity, Iranian state media reported.

President Ebrahim Raisi
Image Source: Telegraph India

The official IRNA news agency published a preliminary assessment by the general staff of the armed forces, stating that no gunshot holes or similar impacts were found on the wreckage of the chopper.

Preliminary Investigation: No Evidence of Foul Play in Helicopter Crash of President Ebrahim Raisi

"Nothing suspicious has been observed in the control tower's conversations with the flight crew," the preliminary report said.

It added: "Signs of gunshot or similar were not observed in the wreckage."

Prior to the disaster, Raisi's helicopter was flying according to a prearranged itinerary and had not strayed from it.

President Ebrahim Raisi
Image Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting

Early on Monday, Iranian drones found the debris; nevertheless, search and rescue crews encountered difficulties due to the area's complexity, fog, and low temperatures.

The army promised to release additional information later and said that more time is required to thoroughly investigate the crash.

On May 19, the 63-year-old president passed away in a helicopter crash in Iran's rugged northwest while returning from the inauguration of a dam close to the border with Azerbaijan.

Thursday marked the conclusion of President Raisi's funeral, which was attended by large crowds of mourners in key locations, including the capital. The president was laid to rest in his birthplace of Mashhad.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the foreign minister, was one of the victims of the disaster; he was buried on Thursday in Shahre Ray, south of the city.

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