In a dramatic turn of events, Iranian state media reported that a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and other top officials made a “hard landing” in a mountainous region of northwestern Iran. The incident occurred as Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and senior officials returned from an event near the Azerbaijan border.
Key Facts:
- Two out of three helicopters in the convoy reached their destination safely.
- Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi confirmed the “hard landing” and announced an ongoing search-and-rescue operation.
- Twenty rescue teams, including drones and dogs, are involved in the search.
Details of the Incident:
- The helicopter went down due to fog and bad weather, making rescue operations challenging.
- Communication with some passengers was established, but the mountainous terrain complicates efforts.
Reactions and Statements:
- Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei expressed hope for the safe return of Raisi and his entourage.
- Raisi’s Instagram page urged supporters to pray for the passengers’ safety.
Political Context:
- Raisi, elected in 2021, is a former cleric and judge known for his hard-line stance.
- Iran’s constitution dictates that if the president dies in office, the first vice president takes over temporarily, with new elections held within 50 days.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts:
- Twenty rescue teams, including drones and dogs, were dispatched to the crash site.
- The Iranian military is also assisting in the rescue operations.
President Raisi’s Background:
- Elected in 2021, Raisi is a former cleric and judge known for his hard-line stance.
- He celebrated Iran’s recent attack on Israel following an airstrike in Damascus that killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Next Steps:
- The government continues to function amid the crisis, with the first vice president poised to take over temporarily if necessary.
- New elections would be held within 50 days if the president is incapacitated or dies.
As rescue teams work tirelessly to locate the helicopter and its passengers, the world watches closely, hoping for a positive outcome.
(Others may not be hoping for a positive outcome, considering the country’s, and this leader’s, terrible treatment of women and equal rights.)
