Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several top officials were involved in a helicopter crash on Sunday, state media reported.
The helicopter made a hard landing in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, near the city of Jolfa, close to the border with Azerbaijan.
President Raisi was traveling with Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of East Azerbaijan province, and other officials and bodyguards.
The condition of President Raisi and the others on board is still unknown. State media has not provided detailed information yet.
The crash happened due to bad weather, including heavy rain and fog, which has made rescue efforts difficult. Emergency teams are trying to reach the site, but the bad weather and rough terrain are causing delays.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the helicopter had to land hard because of the bad weather. He added that rescue teams are working to reach the crash site and will give more information when they can.
Earlier that day, President Raisi was visiting the border with Azerbaijan to open a new dam with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. This visit took place despite recent tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan.
Iran’s helicopters are mostly old, and international sanctions make it hard to get parts for repairs. This crash shows the problems Iran faces with its aging military equipment.
President Raisi, 63, is an important leader in Iran and is seen as a possible successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The country is waiting for more news about the crash.
