Helicopter carrying Iran’s President ‘crashes’ near Azerbaijan border

Iran’s Khamenei expresses sorrow over helicopter crash involving President Raisi

Tehran/Islamabad(Webdesk/Our Correspondent) A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met with an accident on Sunday in East Azerbaijan province, state TV reported.

The incident occurred near Jolfa, a city on the border with Azerbaijan, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran

The official said the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were “at risk following the helicopter crash”.

“We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The bad weather was complicating rescue efforts, the state news agency IRNA reported.

State TV stopped all its regular programming to show prayers being held for Raisi across the country and, in a corner of the screen, live coverage of rescue teams searching the mountainous area on foot in heavy fog.

The 63-year-old was elected president at the second attempt in 2021, and since taking office has ordered a tightening of morality laws, overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers.

In Iran’s dual political system, split between the clerical establishment and the government, it is the supreme leader rather than the president who has the final say on all major policies.

But many see Raisi as a strong contender to succeed his 85-year-old mentor, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has strongly endorsed Raisi’s main policies.

Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi told state TV only that one of the helicopters in a group of three had come down hard, and that authorities were awaiting further details.

Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalaisi Dam, a joint project.

Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has expressed profound sorrow over the recent helicopter incident involving President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi and his companions.

In a statement, Ayatollah Khamenei conveyed his heartfelt concern and prayers for their safety and swift return.

“We hope that God will return the president and his companions to the embrace of the nation,” said Ayatollah Khamenei, underscoring the deep anxiety felt across the country following the incident.

Azerbaijan president says his prayers are with Raisi

Ilham Aliyev said, “Today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran,” Aliyev said.

“Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation. As a neighbor, friend, and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed.”

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over the “distressing news from Iran”.President Asif Ali Zardari offered heartfelt prayers and good wishes for “well-being and safety” of his Iranian counterpart.

Helicopter carrying Iran’s President ‘crashes’ near Azerbaijan border,