A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed in a northern region of the country on Sunday, state news agency IRNA reported. Despite determining the crash site’s exact location using aircraft signals, rescuers have been unable to reach it after hours of searching.
The crash comes during a tense period in the Middle East, with conflict raging in Gaza and just weeks after Iran launched a drone-and-missile attack on Israel in retaliation for a deadly strike on its diplomatic compound in Damascus.
President Raisi, known as a hardliner, assumed office in a historically uncompetitive election in 2021. Before his presidency, he served as the chief justice, overseeing a period of intensified repression of dissent in Iran, which has been rocked by youth-led protests against clerical rule.
The rescue efforts are being hampered by dense fog and extreme cold in the remote, mountainous East Azerbaijan Province. There were nine people on board the helicopter, including the country’s foreign minister.
As the search continues under challenging conditions, the Iranian government is expected to provide further updates on the situation. The nation and the international community are closely monitoring the developments, awaiting news on the safety of President Raisi and the other passengers.
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed in the northern region of East Azerbaijan Province on Sunday. Despite locating the crash site via aircraft signals, rescuers have not yet reached it due to dense fog and extreme cold. The incident occurs amidst regional tensions, with recent conflicts involving Iran and Israel. President Raisi and nine others, including the foreign minister, were on board. Rescue operations continue, and further updates are anticipated from the Iranian government.