Iranian Deputy President for Executive Affairs, Mohsen Mansouri, announced that two members of President Ebrahim Raisi’s entourage have established contact with rescue teams following an air incident involving their helicopter, as reported by the IRNA news agency.
On Sunday, Mansouri disclosed that President Raisi’s helicopter, along with two others, was en route to Tabriz after the inauguration of the Qiz Qalasi Dam on the border between Iran and Azerbaijan, conducted by President Raisi and his Azerbaijani counterpart.
Approximately thirty minutes into their flight, Raisi’s helicopter lost contact with the other two copters, prompting a search operation in the area, Mansouri stated. He added that the fact two members of the president’s entourage reached out to rescue teams indicates that the incident was not serious.
Additionally, Mansouri highlighted that the Ministry of Communications successfully pinpointed the accident’s location within a two-kilometer radius.
In response to the news, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, offered prayers for Raisi’s safe return during a meeting with families of the staff and commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. Ayatollah Khamenei expressed hope for the safe return of the president and his colleagues to the nation’s embrace while reassuring the Iranian people that the incident would not disrupt the country’s operations.
Rescue efforts involved over 40 teams employing search dogs and drones, according to the IRNA news agency.
Raisi was visiting the province where he inaugurated the dam project alongside President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. While Raisi’s convoy included three helicopters, the other two reached their destination safely, as reported by Tasnim news agency.
Foreign countries closely monitored the search efforts amid regional tensions over the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, with a U.S. State Department spokesman stating they were following reports of the incident.
The accident occurred in the mountainous protected forest area of Dizmar near Varzaghan, reported the official IRNA news agency. Military personnel, along with the Revolutionary Guards and police, deployed teams to the area, while Iran’s Health Minister dispatched medical resources.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi attributed the hard landing to adverse weather conditions and difficulty establishing communication with the aircraft.
President Raisi assumed office in 2021, succeeding Hassan Rouhani amidst a period of social and economic challenges exacerbated by U.S. sanctions. His presidency witnessed mass protests and diplomatic developments, including a deal with regional rival Saudi Arabia in March 2023.
The war in Gaza heightened regional tensions, with Iran supporting Palestinians as a cornerstone of its foreign policy.
Born in 1960 in Mashhad, Raisi held various positions within Iran’s judiciary before assuming the presidency. His leadership, symbolized by the black turban signifying direct descent from Prophet Mohammed, underscores his prominent role in Iran’s Shiite clerical hierarchy.
More details to follow…
