Rescuers are conducting an overnight search for a helicopter that crashed carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in northern Iran on Sunday, officials reported.
The conditions of Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who was also on board, remain unknown as temperatures drop in the mountainous region.
The helicopter crashed in the early afternoon in East Azerbaijan province, triggering a large-scale search operation involving military drones and numerous rescue teams, state media stated.
Officials managed to contact some passengers on the helicopter, and a Turkish drone detected a heat source. Despite extensive searching, rescue crews have yet to reach the crash site due to reported fog and extreme cold.
A regional commander for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced late Sunday that they had pinpointed the exact crash location using signals from the helicopter and a crew member’s mobile phone, as reported by IRNA.
“Military forces are heading to the location and hope to have some good news,” the commander said.
The incident occurs at a sensitive time for Tehran, seven months into Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, escalating tensions across the Middle East. Last month, Iran launched its first direct drone and missile attack on Israel, responding to an apparent Israeli airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus.
Iran’s hardline leadership has faced significant challenges recently, with youth-led demonstrations against clerical rule and severe economic conditions. Authorities have cracked down on dissent since protests erupted over the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
| New footage from the search operation going-on for #Iranian President #EbrahimRaisi #helicopter crash site.
The search area for the helicopter has been reduced to 2 km & another place has been identified where the missing plane from #Raisi may be present. #IRAN #iraní pic.twitter.com/tTRH8wDPoY
— Asim Khattak (@asimkhattakpsf) May 19, 2024
Raisi’s official Instagram and state television have urged Iranians to pray for the president and his entourage. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei echoed this call in a video statement, saying, “Everyone should pray for the health of this group of servants. … People of Iran, do not worry. There will be no disruption in the work of the country.”
The crash occurred as Raisi and Amir Abdollahian were returning from a ceremony for a new dam near the Azerbaijan border, IRNA reported. Seven others were on board, including a local imam, the provincial governor, security staff, and the crew.
Two other helicopters in the convoy reached their destinations safely, officials confirmed.
Authorities have identified a 2-kilometer radius for the crash site and believe the accident was “not severe” after speaking with two passengers on the downed helicopter, Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri told FARS news agency.
“Three helicopters were on this route, but the helicopter carrying the President lost contact with the other two. They began searching and established contact with one of the helicopter’s occupants and the flight crew, indicating the incident was not severe. The Red Crescent, FRAJA, Army, and IRGC rescue teams have arrived and divided tasks,” he said.
The crash site is believed to be in the Dizmar Forest area between the villages of Ozi and Pir Davood, according to IRNA. Residents in the Varzeqan region reported hearing noises from the area.
Poor weather and low visibility are complicating rescue efforts. Health Minister Bahram Eynollahi warned that the crash site is very foggy, making search efforts difficult. “We have set up treatment facilities. We are now in the area and all rescue forces are busy searching,” Eynollahi said on state TV. “We have deployed all medical facilities, including emergency medicine, surgery, and ambulances.”
Helicopters in the area have been grounded due to weather conditions, military officials reported.
“The helicopters of the 6th combat base of Tabriz Air Force arrived in the Varzeqan area to carry out relief operations,” said the Commander of Iran’s 6th Air Force Base. “These helicopters, along with the rescue team, were sent to the accident area early on. Unfortunately, the operation failed due to unfavorable weather conditions.”
Iraq and Azerbaijan have offered assistance in the ongoing search. The European Union is activating its satellite mapping service, and Turkey is sending a night-vision search and rescue helicopter with 32 mountaineer search personnel.
Russia has pledged to send two planes with 50 professional mountain rescuers to help reach the crash site on Monday, IRNA reported.
US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident, the White House confirmed.
Who is President Raisi?
Raisi’s powers as President are secondary to those of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority over domestic and foreign affairs in Iran.
Raisi is seen as a key figure in the clerical establishment, potentially a successor to the 85-year-old Khamenei. His 2021 election was heavily influenced by the political elite to ensure his victory. He has upheld the ideals of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, enforcing strict rules and suppressing dissent.
Any disruption to Raisi’s role could further destabilize a country already facing significant economic and political challenges.