President Iran’s
Iranian state media reported that a helicopter transporting President Ebrahim Raisi encountered a “hard landing” on Sunday.
Immediate details of the incident were not disclosed. As rescue teams swiftly navigated through a dense, mist-covered forest, individuals voiced calls for prayers for the safety of Raisi and the accompanying passengers.
Raisi was travelling through Iran’s East Azerbaijan province when the incident occurred. According to state TV reports, the helicopter incident took place close to Jolfa, a city situated on the border with Azerbaijan, approximately 600 kilometres (375 miles) northwest of Tehran, the capital of Iran.
Subsequently, the TV indicated a location farther east, near the village of Uzi, although specific details remained inconsistent.
According to the state-run IRNA news agency, President Raisi was accompanied by Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, and additional officials and bodyguards.
While a local government official referred to the incident as a “crash,” he admitted to an Iranian newspaper that he had not yet reached the site to confirm firsthand details.
State TV Subsequently
Both IRNA and state TV refrained from providing updates on Raisi’s condition following the incident. Nevertheless, hard-line figures urged the public to offer prayers for his well-being. State TV subsequently broadcasted footage of devout individuals praying at the revered Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, a significant site in Shiite Islam, as well as in Qom and various other regions throughout Iran.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, in remarks broadcast on state TV, explained the situation: “The esteemed president and his entourage were returning via helicopters when adverse weather conditions and fog compelled one of the helicopters to make a hard landing.
Several rescue teams are en route to the area, but due to the challenging weather conditions, it may take some time for them to reach the site.
He further noted, “The terrain in the area is rugged, making communication challenging. We await updates from the rescue teams once they reach the landing site and provide us with more information.
State TV reported that rescuers were endeavoring to reach the site but faced obstacles due to adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain, fog, and gusty winds. The area, described as a “forest” by IRNA, is also characterized by mountainous terrain. State TV aired visuals of SUVs swiftly navigating through the wooded area in the rescue effort.
Raisi’s Helicopter
Babak Yektaparast, a spokesperson for emergency services, informed IRNA that a rescue helicopter attempted to reach the suspected location of Raisi’s helicopter but was unable to land due to dense mist.
On Sunday morning, Raisi travelled to the border with Azerbaijan to participate in the inauguration of a dam alongside Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.This particular dam represents the third joint undertaking between the two countries along the Aras River.
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Despite strained relations between the two countries, highlighted by the 2023 gun attack on Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Tehran and Azerbaijan’s diplomatic ties with Israel, which Iran’s Shiite theocracy regards as its primary regional adversary, the visit proceeded as planned.
President Ilham Aliyev
Iran operates a range of helicopters within its borders; however, acquiring parts for maintenance is challenging due to international sanctions. Additionally, much of its military air fleet predates the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
At 63 years old, Raisi is known for his hard-line stance and previously served as the head of Iran’s judiciary. He is considered a protege of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading some analysts to speculate that he could potentially succeed the 85-year-old leader upon his death or resignation.
In the 2021 Iranian presidential election, Raisi emerged victorious in a vote marked by the lowest turnout in the history of the Islamic Republic. He faces sanctions from the U.S., partly due to his alleged role in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988, towards the end of the Iran-Iraq war.
As of my last update in January 2022, Hezbollah has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Arab League
The U.S. State Department stated that it is closely monitoring reports regarding a potential hard landing of a helicopter in Iran transporting the Iranian president and foreign minister. They mentioned, “We have no further comment at this time.
