A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian crashed on Sunday while navigating mountain terrain in heavy fog, following a visit to the Azerbaijan border, an Iranian official told Reuters. The official indicated that the lives of Raisi and Amirabdollahian were “at risk following the helicopter crash.”
“We remain hopeful, but the information coming from the crash site is very concerning,” the official said, speaking anonymously.
According to the state news agency IRNA, poor weather conditions are hindering rescue efforts. State television interrupted regular programming to show prayers for Raisi nationwide, with live coverage of rescue teams searching the mountainous area on foot in heavy fog displayed in a corner of the screen.
Raisi, 63, was elected president on his second attempt in 2021. Since taking office, he has tightened morality laws, overseen a violent crackdown on anti-government protests, and aggressively pursued nuclear negotiations with world powers.
In Iran’s dual political system, where authority is divided between the clerical establishment and the government, the supreme leader holds ultimate control over major policies. However, many view Raisi as a likely successor to his 85-year-old mentor, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has strongly supported Raisi’s key policies.
Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi told state television that one of the three helicopters in the group had made a hard landing, and authorities were waiting for more details.
Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalaisi Dam, a joint project.