Rescue efforts on after Iranian President Raisi’s helicopter crashes in mountains

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian crashed on Sunday.

The helicopter was crossing a mountain terrain in heavy fog, on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan, an Iranian official told Reuters.

The official said the lives of Raisi and Amirabdollahian were ‘at risk following the helicopter crash.’

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

The bad weather is further complicating rescue efforts, Iranian 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 — was also seen.

63-year-old Raisi was elected president in 2021. Since taking office, he oversaw a crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers.

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

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