Iranian Official: “Israel Assassinated President Raisi

A senior Iranian figure sparked a political storm on Sunday, accusing Israel of assassinating former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and leveling unprecedented charges of betrayal against Russia.

Mohammad Sadr, a member of the advisory council to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, alleged in a rare televised interview that Moscow secretly supplied Israel with intelligence on Iran’s air defense systems during last year’s war. He further insisted that Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash in May 2024 was not an accident, but a targeted “Israeli assassination.”

Sadr presented no evidence to substantiate his claims. Nonetheless, his remarks highlight both the mounting tensions inside Iran’s leadership and the growing strain in Tehran–Moscow relations since the 12-day war against Israel.

Accusations Against Moscow

Sadr charged that Russia, officially a strategic ally of Iran, had in practice betrayed Tehran’s interests by withholding real military support during the conflict while allegedly leaking sensitive defense data to Israel.

His statements underscore the discontent within Iran’s leadership following what many observers see as Moscow’s lackluster backing during the fighting. Despite signing a “strategic partnership agreement” in January 2025 aimed at deepening military cooperation, Iran’s leadership has privately voiced frustration that Russian support largely amounted to rhetoric, not action.

The Alleged “Israeli Assassination” of Raisi

Sadr also repeated a claim circulating in Iranian hardline circles: that Raisi’s fatal helicopter crash, which also killed the Iranian foreign minister in May 2024, was not due to weather or mechanical failure, but a deliberate Israeli attack.

Calling it “an assassination,” Sadr said Israel sought to weaken Iran’s leadership at a critical juncture of the war. Israeli officials have never publicly commented on the speculation.

Seeking Alternatives – Belarus Steps In

Reports indicate that in recent weeks, Iran has turned to Belarus for assistance in rebuilding its air defense network, severely damaged during Israeli strikes. Belarus, unlike Russia, faces no Western sanctions for military cooperation with Tehran, making it an attractive partner.

At the same time, Iranian officials continue to issue threats against Israel and the United States, even as domestic confidence in the regime has been shaken.

Israel’s Assessment

Israeli defense officials are closely monitoring the fallout from Sadr’s statements. While they view the allegations as unsubstantiated, they recognize that such rhetoric reflects the deep pressure on Iran’s leadership.

Intelligence assessments suggest that Tehran’s inflammatory messaging serves two purposes: concealing its vulnerability after suffering heavy blows in the war, and reassuring a domestic public increasingly skeptical of the regime’s strength.

Despite the bombast, Israel’s defense establishment remains on high alert for potential Iranian retaliation or escalation, including through proxy forces such as Hezbollah or the Houthis in Yemen.

Growing Rift With Moscow

The accusations against Russia are particularly striking, as they threaten to undermine the carefully cultivated alliance between Tehran and Moscow. Analysts note that the war with Israel exposed fissures in the partnership: while Russia rhetorically supported Iran, its actual assistance on the battlefield was minimal.

For Iran, openly accusing Russia of betrayal marks a dramatic departure from the narrative of “unbreakable partnership” pushed in recent years. For Israel, the rift could present strategic opportunities.

Sadr’s explosive claims — though unsupported by evidence — reflect a regime under strain, grappling with weakened defenses, fractured alliances, and mounting public distrust.

Whether or not Raisi’s death was the result of Israeli action, Iran’s leadership appears intent on projecting defiance, blaming external enemies for its setbacks, and warning of future conflict.