Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s life is at risk following a helicopter crash near the border with Azerbaijan. The helicopter, which was part of a convoy of three, suffered a hard landing in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province near Jolfa, approximately 375 miles northwest of Tehran. The aircraft was traveling in heavy fog over mountainous terrain when the incident occurred.
The helicopter was carrying several high-ranking officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and Tabriz’s Friday Prayer Imam Seyyed Mohammad-Ali Al-Hashem. An Iranian official told Reuters that the lives of Raisi and Amirabdollahian are at risk following the crash.
As rescue teams sped through the misty, rural forest where the helicopter was believed to be, there were calls for the public to pray for Raisi and the others on board. The crash came just hours after Raisi posed for pictures with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev to celebrate a dam on the Aras river.
Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that some of the president’s companions were able to communicate with Central Headquarters, raising hopes that the incident may not have resulted in casualties. However, details remain scarce, and the situation is described as very concerning.
The poor weather conditions have hampered rescue efforts. Emergency services spokesman Babak Yektaparast noted that a rescue helicopter attempted to reach the crash site but was unable to land due to heavy mist. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi confirmed that various rescue teams are en route, but the rugged terrain and fog are making contact and access difficult.
State TV aired images of SUVs racing through wooded areas as rescuers attempt to reach the crash site. There has been no immediate elaboration on the cause of the crash or the condition of those on board.
“We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning,” an official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The region’s rugged landscape and adverse weather are significant obstacles for the rescue operation, and authorities are waiting for teams to reach the site and provide more information.