In a tragic helicopter crash, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, along with other officials, lost their lives en route to the provincial capital city of Tabriz.
The helicopter carrying President Raisi made a “tough landing” on Sunday during a visit to the country’s northwest, as reported by national TV. The incident occurred due to dense fog, which made rescue operations challenging.
The crash happened near the Sungun copper mine, located between Jolfa and Varzaqan in East Azerbaijan province, approximately 70-100 km (43-62 miles) from Tabriz, where the president and foreign minister were headed.
Since Sunday afternoon, 40 separate rescue teams have been dispatched to the forested and mountainous area. Harsh weather conditions have made the region accessible only by ground teams, as aerial approaches are unfeasible. The mountainous terrain and natural obstacles rendered communication with the president’s entourage nearly impossible.
An Iranian television reporter noted that as it got darker and colder, the crews approaching the site avoided traveling by car due to unpaved roads and muddy conditions caused by rain.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati, and Tabriz Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem were also aboard the helicopter.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, expressed concern about the missing helicopter in a meeting with families of IRGC personnel, stating, “We hope that God returns the honorable president and his companions to the arms of the nation. All must pray for the health of this group of civil servants. The Iranian nation must not be concerned or worried; there will be no disruption in the work of the country.”
Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, issued an order on Sunday afternoon for all army, Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), and law enforcement forces’ resources to be used to find the helicopter.
People in various cities across Iran gathered to pray for President Raisi and his companions. Raisi was in East Azarbaijan Province to inaugurate a dam with Ilham Aliyev, the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi reported that the helicopter was forced to make a tough emergency landing due to bad weather conditions.
Contrary to circulating rumors, the Supreme National Security Council did not hold an emergency meeting regarding the accident.
In a show of regional solidarity, countries including Turkey, Italy, and Qatar have expressed their support for Iran. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who met with President Raisi earlier on Sunday, described their parting as a “friendly farewell” and emphasized Azerbaijan’s readiness to assist.
The Iraqi government also instructed its Interior Ministry, the Red Crescent, and other relevant bodies to assist in the search for President Raisi’s missing helicopter. The head of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council and a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry also expressed their countries’ readiness to help in this difficult situation.
