Ibrahim Raisi Helicopter Crash: The helicopter carrying Iran’s President Ibrahim Raisi met with an accident on Sunday (May 19). The incident took place near East Azerbaijan, but the rescue team has not been able to reach him yet. According to the Iranian television channel, Mohammad Reza Mir Taj, MP from Iran’s Tarbez city, said that President Ibrahim Raisi’s helicopter has not been found yet. Officials and the army are using drones to reach the accident site.
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‘Helicopter not found yet’
According to the report of Erem News, Iranian MP Mohammad Reza Mir said, “The helicopter carrying President Ibrahim Raisi and several officials has not been found yet after the crash. No information has been revealed about the President’s health yet.” He further said that the Revolutionary Guard, the army and the Red Crescent are trying to reach the accident site.
‘Crashed in the forests of Azerbaijan province’
The Iranian MP said, “According to initial information, President Ibrahim Raisi’s helicopter crashed in the forests around East Azerbaijan province, which is 106 kilometers away from Tabriz. There is currently no contact with the people on board the helicopter.”
‘Hard landing had to be done due to bad weather’
According to the report of Iranian TV channel, the interior minister of his country, Ahmad Vahidi, said, “President Ibrahim Raisi was travelling in a helicopter. Due to bad weather and fog, one of the helicopters carrying the President had to make a hard landing. Rescue teams are trying to reach the accident site, but due to bad weather and fog, it may take time for them to reach the helicopter.”
The US State Department said it was closely monitoring reports of a hard landing of a helicopter carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister, AP reported.
Raisi was in Azerbaijan early Sunday to inaugurate a dam
Raisi was in Azerbaijan early Sunday to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. This is the third dam built by the two countries on the Aras River. Iran flies a variety of helicopters in the country, but international sanctions make it difficult for the Islamic country to obtain parts for these helicopters. Its military air fleet also largely dates back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Ibrahim Raisi is a hardliner
Ibrahim Raisi, 63, is a hardliner who has also headed Iran’s judiciary. He is seen as a disciple of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and some analysts have suggested he could replace the 85-year-old leader if he dies or resigns. Raisi won Iran’s 2021 presidential election.
