Iran’s president involved in helicopter crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in a helicopter crash in the mountainous northwest region of Iran on Sunday, prompting a massive rescue operation and calls for prayers from the public. The incident occurred as Iran recently launched a drone-and-missile attack on Israel and has been enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels.

Raisi, along with Iran’s Foreign Minister and other officials, was traveling in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province when the helicopter made a “hard landing” near the city of Jolfa on the border with Azerbaijan. Conflicting reports emerged about the exact location of the crash, with some officials referring to it as a “crash” while others called it a “hard landing” or an “incident.”

State TV aired images of hundreds of people praying for Raisi’s safety at various locations across the country, including at one of Shiite Islam’s holiest sites in Mashhad. The Interior Minister confirmed that the helicopter made a hard landing due to bad weather and fog, hindering rescue efforts.

As the search and rescue operation continued into the night, Turkish defense ministry announced its assistance with unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters equipped with night vision capabilities. Iranian government spokesman emphasized the challenging conditions of the search and urged patience, prayer, and trust in relief groups.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also called for prayers for Raisi’s safe return, highlighting the sensitivity of the situation for Iran’s future. Raisi, a hard-liner and protégé of Khamenei, won the 2021 presidential election and has faced international sanctions for his involvement in human rights abuses.

The crash comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with Iran’s involvement in conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and the Middle East. The incident has raised concerns about the stability of the country and the potential impact on its leadership in the future.