Ebrahim Raisi helicopter crash: Ebrahim Raisi was returning from neighbouring Azerbaijan when the incident took place.(IRNA)
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several other high-ranking officials crashed on Sunday in the northwest region of Iran. Reports indicate that the helicopter made a “hard landing” due to adverse weather conditions, including thick fog. The exact condition of President Raisi and the others on board remains unclear, although initial communications suggest there may be survivors .
The incident occurred as Raisi was returning from a trip to inaugurate a dam project with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The helicopter lost contact in the mountainous region near the border, complicating rescue efforts. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi stated that rescue teams, including the Red Crescent and military units, have been dispatched to the area but warned that the challenging terrain and poor weather could delay their arrival.
The president’s entourage included Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and reports from Tasnim News Agency suggest that other helicopters in the convoy reached their destination safely. Communication with some members of Raisi’s party has been established, providing a glimmer of hope regarding potential casualties.
Ebrahim Raisi, who took office in 2021, is a prominent political figure expected to seek re-election next year. His presidency has been marked by close ties with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guards, and his potential incapacitation could have significant political implications in Iran.
Rescue operations are ongoing, and further updates are anticipated as teams reach the crash site and assess the situation.
NGI 
SKJ