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The tragic death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash triggered a shockwave throughout the world.
Accompanied by Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and some other senior officials, he was on his way home after a short trip to Azerbaijan.
Unfortunately, the 40-year old Bell helicopter that carried the Iranian president crashed due to heavy fog and inclement weather.
This is so far the official version. But hours after his death, conspiracy theories started emerging from various corners, including the media, with some pointing fingers at the Mossad, the intelligence service of Iran's arch rival, Israel.
Though Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in his statement made it clear that the crash was an unfortunate incident, some in Iran and other parts of the world are apparently not ready to accept that the crash was accidental.
No doubt the reason for the doubt is the timing of the crash. It took place at a time when the rivalry between Iran and Israel is at its peak.
Just a couple of months ago the entire world witnessed the spectacular show of airborne attacks and counter attacks unleashed by both countries against each other.
The direct conflict situation between the two countries surfaced for the first time in history through this aerial campaign.
So, there are obvious reasons for the emergence of the conspiracy theories over the death of Mr Raisi, a hardliner, who was well-known for his tough stance against Israel.
The conspiracy theorists want to say that the helicopter was tampered while it was grounded on the land of Azerbaijan, a country where pro-Israeli elements are reported to have a strong presence.
Even some analysts while talking to an Iranian television made an oblique reference to conspiracy. A commentator named Foad Izadi said, 'When a helicopter faces an accident, it might be caused by a technical issue or maybe weather conditions. - but there are also other scenarios'.
Referring to Israel and its powerful intelligence service, he added: "We have an issue in the republic of Azerbaijan and that is the presence of the Zionists and Mossad in that region. It will be investigated. We have respect for our neighbours but we should not get targeted from their territories."
However, such conspiracy theories are unwarranted and such a campaign may heighten tension further in the Middle East, which is already plunged into geopolitical volatility.
In the narratives of the conspiracy theorists, a simple truth is overshadowed by more compelling and dramatic possibility of intentional sabotage, and such thriller like scripts plant the seed of doubt so that it continues to flourish in the fertile soil of public imagination.
Peace and stability in this region, the energy hub of the world, are imperative as further conflict would pose serious threat to the energy supply causing economic turmoil in the whole world.
And countries like Bangladesh that are hugely dependent on petroleum imports from the Middle East will be one of the worst victims.
In fact, Iran itself needs to be unperturbed by such conspiracy theories for its own stability as Raisi was considered an heir apparent to the supreme leader.
Many believe that Raisi's sudden death may cause a succession crisis in Iran.
Though soon after the death of his protégée, Mr Khamenei himself made it clear that there will be no disruption in the governance mechanism due to the departure of Raisi from the scene, apprehensions are there that the new President and foreign minister would have to face a herculean task to fill in the gaps of their immediate past predecessors.
So let us hope that real truth behind the deadly crash would come out soon and stop the rumour from generating provocative campaigns.
Provocation, tension and speculation are the least wanted elements in the Middle East right at the moment.