What is currently known about the enigmatic crash of the helicopter transporting Iran’s President?

The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran’s president and foreign minister has sent shock waves around the region. Details are still scarce, and it remains unclear if Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the other officials onboard have survived.

The helicopter was transporting President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, and other officials and bodyguards. They were returning from a trip to Iran’s border with Azerbaijan to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev when the incident occurred.

The helicopter reportedly crashed or made an emergency landing in the Dizmar forest between Varzaqan and Jolfa in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, near the border with Azerbaijan. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi initially attributed the crash to bad weather and fog.

Search-and-rescue operations have been hindered by the mountainous, forested terrain and heavy fog. Iranian Red Crescent Society President Pir-Hossein Koulivand stated that 40 search teams are on the ground despite challenging weather conditions.

The potential impact of Raisi’s death on Iran is significant, as he is seen as a protégé to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. If Raisi were to die, the country’s first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, would assume the presidency.

International reactions have poured in, with countries like Russia, Iraq, and Qatar expressing concern and offering assistance. Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia have also extended support, despite historical tensions with Iran. The situation remains fluid as search operations continue in the hope of finding survivors.