Search Underway for Helicopter Carrying Iranian President After Crash in Northern Iran

Rescuers are searching for a helicopter that crashed in northern Iran on Sunday. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian were on board.

Their condition is still unknown. The crash occurred in the East Azerbaijan province. The search effort includes military drones and many rescue teams.

Despite making contact with some passengers, rescuers have not reached the crash site due to fog and extreme cold.

A commander from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said they found the crash location through signals from the helicopter and a crew member’s phone. He expressed hope for good news soon.

State television and Raisi’s Instagram account urged Iranians to pray for the president and his team. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei also asked people to pray and assured them that the country’s work would continue without disruption.

Raisi and Amir Abdollahian were returning from a dam opening ceremony on the border with Azerbaijan.

Two other helicopters in their convoy arrived safely. Authorities have identified a 2-kilometer radius for the crash site and believe the accident was not severe after speaking with two passengers.

Iranian Vice President Mohsen Mansouri confirmed that contact was made with one of the occupants, suggesting the incident was not severe.

He stated that rescue teams from various organizations have divided the tasks. The crash site is believed to be in the Dizmar Forest area between Ozi and Pir Davood. Local residents reported hearing noises from the region.

Raisi is considered a key figure in Iran’s clerical establishment and a potential successor to Khamenei.