Search Underway After Helicopter Carrying Iranian President Raisi Crashes

Search operations are ongoing after a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi experienced a "hard landing," according to Iran's state television. The interior minister reported that rescue teams are facing challenges due to poor weather in East Azerbaijan province, where the incident occurred.

Iranian state media reported the crash happened near Jolfa in East Azerbaijan province on Sunday. The semi-official Fars news agency called on Iranians to pray for Raisi, with state TV airing prayers for his safety.

Raisi was returning from Azerbaijan, where he had inaugurated a dam with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, when the incident took place. The president's convoy included three helicopters, and the other two returned safely.

The President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi as well as Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were involved in a "Significant Helicopter Crash" earlier today while Traveling back from a Diplomatic Meeting in Azerbaijan. The Crash is believed to have occurred in a Heavily Forested Area… pic.twitter.com/mrFfBMSVXl

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 19, 2024

State media reported that Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem were also in the helicopter with Raisi. Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Housing and Transportation Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash were in the other helicopters.

According to the Tasnim News Agency, an emergency call was made by those in the helicopter, raising hopes that the incident might not result in fatalities. The cause of the "hard landing" and the condition of the passengers remain unclear.

Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told state television...