Tehran, Iran - A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, was forced to make a "hard landing" in a mountainous area near the border with Azerbaijan on May 19, sparking a massive search and rescue operation amid foggy conditions.
The incident occurred as Raisi was returning from the inauguration of a dam in Azerbaijan, a rare visit despite strained ties between the two nations over issues including Azerbaijan's relations with Israel.
Iranian state TV reported the "hard landing" took place near the town of Jolfa, around 375 miles northwest of Tehran, though details remained contradictory. Some officials used the word "crash" while others described it as a forced landing due to bad weather.
There was no immediate information on Raisi's condition, but hardline supporters urged the public to pray for the president's safety. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sought to reassure the nation, stating there would be "no disruption" and expressing hope that "Almighty God will bring our dear president and his companions back in full health."
Over 60 rescue teams with search dogs and drones were dispatched to the mountainous, forested area of Dizmar near Varzaghan to search for the missing helicopter. The operation involved army, Revolutionary Guard and police forces, hampered by heavy fog and rain.
"The esteemed president and company were on their way back aboard some helicopters and one of the helicopters was forced to make a hard landing due to the bad weather and fog," Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi stated.
The incident comes at a sensitive time, as Iran under Raisi has escalated tensions with Israel through unprecedented drone and missile attacks and advanced its nuclear program closer to weapons-grade levels, while also facing years of protests over economic woes and women's rights.
Both Russia and the European Union have offered assistance in the search operations. Late on May 19, Turkey's defense ministry announced it had deployed an unmanned aerial vehicle and was preparing a helicopter with night vision capabilities to aid the efforts.
As night fell, the fate of Raisi and his entourage remained unknown, with authorities and the public awaiting updates amid fears for the leadership's safety during this crisis.
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