Chopper carrying Iran pres Ebrahim Raisi crashes

Dubai: Iranian officials have informed that a helicopter carrying Iran President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed in mountain terrains in heavy fog, Reuters reported.

The chopper was crossing the region of crash after Raisi made a visit to Iran’s border with Azerbaijan.

Officials told Reuters that the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were at risk after the crash, and there are concerns. They said that information coming from the crash site is concerning, though there is hope.

The state-run news agency reported that bad weather is complicating rescue operations. State TV stopped airing all other programmes, but prayers were held for Raisi across the country. The TV showed live rescue teams searching in heavy fog on foot in a corner of the screen.

Raisi, the 63-year-old elected president at the second attempt in 2023, chose hardline policy in morality laws and initiated a crackdown on anti-government protests. He also pushed for nuclear talks with world powers.

Iran has a dual political system, which includes the clerical establishment and the government. The supreme leader of the clerical hand has more power than the president. However, Raisi is seen as a strong contender for supreme leader after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The state TV reported that Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi informed that one of a group of three airborne choppers crashed in the mountainous area, and the administration is waiting for more details.

Raizi went to the Azerbaijan border to inaugurate the joint project of the Qiz-Qalaisi Dam.