Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and the foreign minister were aboard a helicopter that crashed while returning from East Azerbaijan. Despite conflicting reports about locating the crash site, President Raisi remains missing. Iranian emergency crews, aided by the Red Crescent, are conducting search operations in a remote area near the Dizmar Protected Area in East Azerbaijan province. Meanwhile, the rest of the convoy has proceeded.
“Upon returning from the border with Azerbaijan, President Raisi, alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, marked the inauguration of a collaborative dam project, showcasing the growing rapport between the two nations. Following the helicopter crash, twenty rescue teams and an undisclosed number of drones have been dispatched to the site. While details are still unfolding, here’s what we’ve gathered thus far.”
What happened?
First, reports of a helicopter crash in the president’s convoy began circulating on social media and were swiftly echoed by local media outlets. Initially, a report from the state-affiliated Mehr news website indicated that President Raisi had chosen to travel to Tabriz by car due to adverse weather conditions, ensuring his safety.
However, this report was later retracted as state television confirmed that the missing helicopter indeed carried President Raisi and other officials. According to state television, the helicopter experienced a “hard landing.”
A “hard landing” refers to when an aircraft lands with greater force or speed than intended, often due to factors like weather conditions, pilot errors, or mechanical malfunctions.
Who was in the helicopter?
According to state media, accompanying Ebrahim Raisi on his travels were Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati, and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to East Azerbaijan.
Where did the helicopter fall?
The helicopter crash occurred within the Dizmar Protected Area, a vital wildlife corridor along the Azerbaijan border. Initially reported near Jolfa, state TV later clarified the crash site as the village of Uzi further east. State television attributed the accident to sudden adverse weather conditions in the Dizmar area.
Did all three helicopters disappear?
“Only two out of the three helicopters in the president’s convoy successfully returned to the city of Tabriz. Among those that safely made it back were Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Housing and Transportation Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash.”
What’s the problem? Why can’t they find the helicopter passengers?
According to state TV reports, rescue teams, along with numerous ambulances and drones, were mobilized to reach the site. Unfortunately, their efforts have been impeded by adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain, fog, and gusts of wind. IRNA news agency described the location as a challenging-to-reach forest area.
What’s the latest on the ground? Is anyone helping?
Rescue teams face challenges in locating the crash site due to muddy terrain and darkness. To aid in the response, Commissioner Janez Lenarcic announced the activation of the European Commission’s Copernicus satellite mapping system on X. Additionally, Iraq has mobilized its interior ministry, the Red Crescent, and other organizations to assist in the search efforts.
How are people feeling? What are they saying?
Following the confirmation of President Raisi’s helicopter disappearance, appeals were made urging Iranians to pray for his safety and that of the individuals accompanying him in the aircraft. The government has refrained from issuing extensive formal statements regarding the incident due to numerous unclear details.
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Was something wrong with his helicopter?
The helicopters transporting Raisi and his entourage have yet to be identified—whether they belonged to the army or the Red Crescent remains uncertain.
Iran operates a variety of helicopters, many of which are pre-revolution models from before 1979. Challenges in acquiring spare parts due to sanctions and financial constraints have made maintenance difficult.
In the event of the president’s absence or death, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, 69, would assume authority, pending approval from the Supreme Leader following confirmation of the president’s status.
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Subsequently, an election must be organized within 50 days, as per Iran’s electoral schedule for 2025.
Supreme Leader Khamenei has assured Iranians that state affairs will proceed without interruption.
Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, Marwan Bishara, suggests that Iran’s political system is resilient enough to absorb any shock from Raisi’s potential incapacity, given its robust governing elite and system of checks and balances.
Recent Update: President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran Passes Away in Helicopter Crash, Reports Iranian Media
IRNA, the Iranian state media, has released footage revealing the wreckage of President Raisi’s helicopter, which was discovered by the volunteer drone team of the Relief & Rescue Organization of the Red Crescent.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, alongside Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollhian and several senior officials, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash confirmed by Iranian state media. The incident occurred on Sunday.
More than 60 rescue teams have been extensively involved in the search effort. An Iranian official informed news agency Reuters that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister perished in a helicopter crash while traversing mountain terrain amidst heavy fog.
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