Iranian state media reports that a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials suffered a "hard landing" on Sunday, with no immediate information on casualties.
The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) media outlet reported that the aircraft, transporting Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and other top officials, went down in a mountainous region of northwestern Iran as they were returning from an event near Iran's border with Azerbaijan.
According to IRNA, two of the three helicopters on the trip reached their destination safely, but search efforts are ongoing for the helicopter carrying President Raisi.
Iran's Interior Minister, Ahmad Vahidi, confirmed the "hard landing" of the president's helicopter and stated that the search-and-rescue operation is underway, as reported by IRNA.
"Various rescue groups are moving towards the site, but due to fog and adverse weather conditions, it may take time to reach the area. The situation is under control," Vahidi said.
The 63-year-old Raisi was elected president in 2021.
However, It is important to note that in Iran's dual political system, divided between the clerical establishment and the government, it is the Supreme Leader who holds ultimate authority over all major policies, rather than the president.
