Helicopter Carrying Iran’s President Raisi Crashes; Search Ongoing

The world is closely watching as Iran mobilizes emergency crews to search for President Ebrahim Raisi, whose helicopter crashed in a remote area near Jolfa in East Azerbaijan province. Raisi was returning from the Iran-Azerbaijan border after inaugurating a cooperative dam project with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, marking a significant step in their warming relations. Twenty rescue teams and drones have been deployed to the crash site.

Initial reports of the crash surfaced on social media and were quickly picked up by local news outlets. State-linked Mehr News initially reported that Raisi chose to travel to Tabriz by car due to foggy conditions and was safe. However, this report was retracted after state television confirmed that the missing helicopter indeed carried Raisi and other officials. State TV later clarified that the helicopter experienced a “hard landing.”

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The passengers included Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati, and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the Supreme Leader’s representative in the province, as per state media. Out of the three helicopters in the convoy, two safely returned to Tabriz, carrying Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Housing and Transportation Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash.

Rescue efforts are ongoing but are hindered by poor weather conditions, including heavy rain, fog, and some wind. State TV reported that numerous ambulances and drones are part of the search operation, but the area is a dense forest, making access difficult.

After confirmation of Raisi’s helicopter crash, calls for prayers for his safety and that of his companions quickly spread. The government has remained relatively quiet due to the many unclear details surrounding the incident.

There is no confirmed information about the type of helicopter used, which could have been either military or Red Crescent. Iran’s helicopters are often older models from before the 1979 Islamic revolution, and due to sanctions and financial constraints, maintaining and obtaining spare parts for these helicopters is challenging.

In the event of President Raisi’s prolonged absence or recovery period, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, 69, will assume presidential duties. Mokhber, who has overseen the execution of Ayatollah Khamenei’s orders since 2007, holds a PhD in international law.

The crash comes after Raisi and Aliyev inaugurated the Qiz Qalasi dam on the Aras River, highlighting Iran and Azerbaijan’s cooperative efforts. The situation remains tense as rescue operations continue amidst difficult weather conditions and challenging terrain.