On Sunday, a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other top officials made an emergency hard landing in the foggy, mountainous region of East Azerbaijan province, according to Iranian state TV. The incident occurred near the city of Jolfa, close to the border with Azerbaijan, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran. Before the mishap, state TV had shown footage of Raisi meeting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to the border area. Raisi Survives Helicopter Emergency Landing
As the helicopter reportedly crashed in the mountainous northwest of Iran, a large-scale rescue operation was launched in the fog-covered forest area, with authorities urging the public to pray for the president’s safety. The incident happened amid heightened tensions, as Iran recently executed an unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel and has been enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels. Additionally, Iran faces ongoing internal unrest due to economic struggles and demands for women’s rights. Raisi Survives Helicopter Emergency Landing
The exact details of the incident remain unclear, with reports varying on whether the helicopter crash-landed or merely experienced a hard landing. Among the passengers were Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of East Azerbaijan province, and other officials and bodyguards. While some local officials described the incident as a “crash,” others used the terms “hard landing” or “incident.”
In the hours following the event, neither the IRNA news agency nor state TV provided updates on Raisi’s condition. However, hard-line elements within Iran called for public prayers. Images on state TV showed crowds praying at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad and other holy sites across the country. The continuous airing of prayers on the main channel underscored the gravity of the situation.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi explained on state TV that the helicopter was forced to make a hard landing due to severe weather conditions, including dense fog. Rescue teams faced significant challenges due to the poor visibility and harsh weather, which included heavy rain and wind.
Footage broadcast by state TV depicted SUVs navigating through the wooded area, struggling with the adverse weather, while rescuers trekked through the fog and mist in search of the helicopter. The region, known for its rugged terrain, added to the difficulties faced by the rescue operation.
