Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi experienced a “rough landing” on Sunday while travelling in a helicopter in a remote area.
Iranian state media reports that rescuers are having difficulty reaching the crash site due to rugged terrain and poor visibility.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi announced on state TV that the president and his companions were returning via helicopters when one of them was forced to make a hard landing due to inclement weather and fog.
He mentioned that various rescue teams are en route to the region, but adverse weather conditions and the rugged terrain pose difficulties.
The incident occurred near the city of Jolfa, which is approximately 375 miles northwest of Tehran, on Iran’s border with Azerbaijan.
Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and local officials travelled in a helicopter convoy during the incident.
While one local government official described the incident as a “crash,” confirmation from the site is pending due to the official’s inability to reach the location.
Iranian state media did not provide updates on Raisi’s condition.
Poor weather conditions, including heavy rain, fog, and wind, have hindered rescue efforts.
The area is characterised as a “forest,” further complicating access to the crash site.
Despite strained relations between the two nations, Raisi had visited Azerbaijan earlier on Sunday to inaugurate a dam with President Ilham Aliyev.
Iran faces challenges maintaining its helicopter fleet due to international sanctions and ageing military aircraft.
Raisi, a hard-liner previously serving as Iran’s judiciary chief, is considered Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s protege.
Speculation has arisen about his potential succession to Khamenei’s role in the future.
Raisi’s presidency has been marked by controversy, including his involvement in the mass execution of political prisoners in 1988.
Under his leadership, Iran has escalated its uranium enrichment activities and limited international inspections.
Additionally, Iran has been involved in supplying arms to Russia during the conflict in Ukraine and launching attacks on Israel amid tensions with Hamas in Gaza.
The country continues to support proxy groups in the Middle East, such as Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Despite challenges and controversies, Raisi won Iran’s 2021 presidential election, which recorded the lowest voter turnout in history.
He remains subject to sanctions imposed by the United States due to his past actions.
