A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other high-ranking officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, crashed in Iran’s mountainous East Azerbaijan province on Sunday. The incident has prompted an intense search and rescue operation as international and domestic assistance pours in, including offers of support from neighboring Iraq, Azerbaijan, and as far as Russia and Turkey.
According to state media reports, the helicopter was part of a convoy returning from a dam inauguration ceremony on the border with Azerbaijan when it encountered inclement weather, resulting in a “hard landing” near the villages of Ozi and Pir Davood. Seven additional people were on board, encompassing a local imam, the provincial governor, security personnel, and the aircraft’s crew. The two other helicopters in the convoy landed safely, indicating that the crash was an isolated incident among the group.
The search has been hampered by “poor weather and low visibility,” particularly fog, which thwarted a rescue helicopter attempt and made the crash site inaccessible for some time. This has significantly complicated rescue efforts in the Dizmar Forest area, where the crash is believed to have taken place. The Iranian Minister of Health, Bahram Eynollahi, indicated on state TV that the crash site is “very foggy,” adding that despite the deployment of all available medical facilities, the search continues to be challenging.
Officials have relayed that they were able to make contact with some of the passengers on board and that a Turkish drone has detected a heat source believed to be the wreckage. An IRGC regional commander later confirmed that the exact location of the crash was pinpointed through signals from the helicopter and a crew member’s mobile phone. The military forces were reportedly heading to the location with hopes of positive news.
The White House acknowledged that US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident, while other international players have extended their assistance. The European Union is activating its satellite mapping service, and Turkey has dispatched night-vision capable search and rescue helicopters, in addition to 32 mountaineer search and rescue personnel. Furthermore, Russia has pledged to send two planes with professional mountain rescuers to aid in reaching the crash site.
The situation is particularly delicate given Iran’s current domestic and foreign affairs climate. Tehran, under the leadership of President Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has experienced soaring regional tensions, particularly with Israel, and a recent history of internal dissent and economic hardship. The incident has resonated deeply within Iran, as state television and Raisi’s official Instagram account have called upon the populace to pray for the president and his entourage, with Supreme Leader Khamenei reinforcing this appeal in a video statement.
While Raisi’s powers are limited compared to Supreme Leader Khamenei, his role is seen as a significant investment by the clerical establishment, potentially priming him as Khamenei’s successor.
The international community and the Iranian populace eagerly await updates, hoping for the safe recovery of President Raisi and the other officials aboard the ill-fated helicopter. In the meantime, Iranian authorities have called for patience and trust in the ongoing rescue operations.
Relevant articles:
– Helicopter in Iranian President Raisi’s convoy involved in ‘accident’, jpost.com, 05/19/2024
– Iran’s hard-line president still missing after likely helicopter crash in foggy, mountainous region, The Associated Press, 05/20/2024
– Helicopter carrying Iranian president and foreign minister crashes, prompting massive search operation, CNN, 05/20/2024
– Helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi apparently crashes, search underway, CBS News, 05/20/2024
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