Iran army helicopter crashes into market, killing 2 pilots and 2 merchants
Al Jazeera
February 24, 2026
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A military helicopter crashed into a fruit market in Iran's Isfahan province, killing two pilots and two merchants. The incident occurred near a major airbase and is believed to have been caused by a technical fault. State media reported that emergency responders quickly contained the fire, and investigations are ongoing.
This crash follows another recent incident where an Iranian Air Force fighter jet crashed during a training mission in Hamadan province. In that case, one pilot was killed while the other survived by ejecting. Both crashes have raised concerns about Iran's aging aircraft fleet, which has struggled to upgrade due to decades of sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies.
Iran has sought to purchase advanced Russian fighter jets but has faced delays in deliveries. These incidents come amid rising tensions with the U.S., as nuclear talks approach in Geneva. The U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, deploying aircraft carriers and advanced fighters, while Iran has vowed not to "bow down" to pressure.
The crashes highlight the challenges Iran faces in maintaining its aging fleet and underscore the risks of operating outdated equipment. As tensions between the two nations escalate, these incidents could further complicate efforts to resolve the nuclear standoff.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/24/2026