Iranian Army Helicopter Crashes Into Isfahan Market, Killing Four

An Iranian Army helicopter crashed into a fruit market in the central province of Isfahan on Tuesday, killing four people, according to state media reports.

The aircraft went down in the city of Dorcheh, sparking a fire that was later extinguished by emergency response teams. Authorities confirmed that those killed included the pilot, co-pilot, and two merchants who were at the market when the helicopter came down.

The cause of the crash has not yet been disclosed.

Iran has long faced scrutiny over its air safety record, with multiple aviation incidents reported over the years. Analysts often attribute these crashes to the continued use of aging aircraft, many of which were purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, as well as difficulties in obtaining original spare parts for maintenance due to longstanding sanctions.

The latest incident follows another recent military aviation accident. Last week, a U.S.-made F-4 fighter jet operated by Iran’s regular air force crashed during a training mission in the western province of Hamadan, resulting in the death of one pilot.