4 Killed in Iranian Military Helicopter Crash in Iran

An Iranian military helicopter crashed into a marketplace in Isfahan province on Tuesday, killing four people, according to state media reports.

The helicopter, operated by the Iranian army, went down in central Iran, resulting in the deaths of the pilot, co-pilot, and two local traders who were present in the market area at the time of the crash.

Authorities said the impact sparked a fire, which emergency response teams were able to contain and extinguish. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash.

Aviation experts have long raised concerns about Iran’s air safety record, citing repeated aircraft accidents over the years. Many incidents involve aging military and civilian aircraft purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, for which original spare parts are often difficult to obtain due to sanctions and long-standing supply restrictions.

The crash follows another recent military aviation incident. Last week, a US-made F-4 fighter jet operated by the Iranian Air Force went down in Hamadan province during a training flight, killing one pilot.