Search and rescue operations are underway in Iran seeking President Ebrahim Raisi, following a helicopter crash that occurred during his return from a trip to the northwest of the country. The operation was happening under the challenges posed by a thick fog prevailing in the area, according to national broadcasters. Despite not stating a direct reason for the incident that transpired on Sunday, state media disclosed the adverse weather conditions making it a tasking endeavour for the rescue teams.
The situation was cited as “complex and challenging” according to Ali Bahadori Jahromi, the government spokesperson, who stated on X that there had been “no fresh developments”. Interior minister Ahmad Vahidi, revealing on Iranian television, cautioned that the weather conditions could lead to a time-consuming search for the President’s helicopter. He also indicated that after a five-hour ground search, an aerial pursuit would be “unthinkable”.
President Raisi, a hardline cleric in his 60s who emerged victorious in the 2021 presidential elections, is widely perceived as a frontrunner to eventually succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the incumbent supreme leader of Islamic Iran.
This incident coincides with the ongoing instability in the Middle East due to the Gaza war involving Israel and the Iran-supported Hamas group, labelled as a terrorist outfit by the US and EU. There has been a rise in Tehran-backed groups like the Houthis in Yemen and Shiite militaries in Iraq, attacking American bases and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
President Raisi’s air convoy comprised three helicopters carrying top-tier officials, including foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, as per reports from the semi-official Tasnim news agency. It is assumed that Mr Amir-Abdollahian was aboard Mr Raisi’s helicopter at the time of the accident.
Interior Minister Vahidi confirmed earlier in the day to state television that the aircraft experience a “bumpy landing”. He also reported that the exacerbating weather is making the rescue process challenging. According to a Red Crescent spokesperson, three members of the rescue team have been reported missing in the process. Furthermore, the spokesperson warned that the intensifying cold and rainfall as the night falls will further complicates the rescue operation.
The Iranian Fars news agency urged the Iranian citizens to send their prayers for their president amidst these reports.
Live footage from the northeastern city of Mashhad, the birthplace of Mr Raisi, was aired on state television, highlighting locals offering prayers for the president’s safety at the sacred sanctuary. The governor of East Azerbaijan Province and the supreme leader’s representative in Tabriz were amongst those speculated to accompany Mr Raisi in his helicopter, as reported by Iranian outlets.
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, expressed apprehension over the incident, hoping for the safety of the president and his delegation, through a spokesperson. Janez Lenarcic, the European commissioner for crisis management, disclosed that their satellite mapping service, Copernicus Emergency Management Service, had been set to operate to aid search efforts following a distress signal from Iran.
US official channels also expressed awareness regarding the incident though there were no further comments. Karine Jean-Pierre, a spokesperson for US President, Joe Biden, confirmed that the president had been briefed on the situation. The Iraqi government, Russia and UAE expressed their readiness to extend their assistance in the search operation.
On the same day, Mr Raisi had inaugurated a dam that signifies a collaborative project between Iran and Azerbaijan on their shared borders with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev. The unfortunate incident occurred on Mr Raisi’s return journey from the East Azerbaijan province.
Having ascended to presidency post Hassan Rouhani’s eight years of comparatively moderate governance that involved a nuclear accord with the US which Donald Trump annulled in 2018, Mr Raisi’s term has seen an infusion of hardliners critical of this accord. As a result of the US’s withdrawal from the deal, hardlined attitudes have strengthened in Iran. With the support of Iran’s religious and military upper crust, Mr Raisi’s campaign was successful in placing all of Iran’s state institutions under the control of the hardliners. Source: Bloomberg and Reuters.