An Israeli official on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity, refuted any Israeli involvement in the helicopter crash that claimed the life of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several of his team members.

“It wasn’t us,” stated the official to a news agency. While condolences poured in from various world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israel had yet to issue a formal statement regarding the incident as of 13:00 IST.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, known for his staunch support of Iran’s supreme leader and the country’s uranium enrichment program, as well as its significant drone and missile attacks on Israel, passed away at 63 years old.

Raisi’s unexpected demise, alongside Iran’s foreign minister and other officials, occurred in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran on Sunday. This tragic event unfolds amidst internal dissent and complex global relations within Iran.

While Ayatollah Ali Khamenei holds the ultimate authority over Iran’s foreign policy, Raisi presided over a regime that maintained a confrontational stance toward adversaries, notably the U.S. and Israel.

The delicate balance between Iran, under Khamenei and Raisi, and its adversaries was disrupted in April when Iran directly targeted Israel with drones and missiles in response to an attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus.

Israel, with backing from the U.S., Britain, Jordan, and other allies, managed to intercept most incoming projectiles. In retaliation, Israel reportedly struck an air defense radar system in Isfahan, Iran. Although no casualties were reported, the strike conveyed a clear message.

Despite engaging in a shadow war of covert operations and cyberattacks for years, the direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel in April marked a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations.