Date: May 19, 2024
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian are currently missing following a helicopter accident in the country's East Azerbaijan province. The incident occurred during a return trip from a visit to Azerbaijan, where the Iranian President and his delegation were attending the inauguration of a dam on the Aras river with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
The helicopter carrying President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, along with other officials and bodyguards, reportedly experienced a "hard landing" due to adverse weather conditions, including heavy fog. The incident took place near the village of Uzi, according to state media.
Rescue operations are underway, despite challenging weather conditions and the remote, forested location of the crash site. At least 20 rescue teams, including drones and search dogs, have been deployed to the area. However, the harsh weather and dense fog are complicating the search efforts.
Iranian officials have confirmed that there was contact with some passengers on the helicopter, indicating that there may have been survivors. However, the extent of the damage and the exact number of casualties or injuries remain unknown.
President Raisi, who is also under U.S. sanctions for his involvement in the mass execution of political prisoners in 1988, was elected in 2021 during an election that saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic's history.
This accident comes amid strained relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, including over a gun attack on Azerbaijan's Embassy in Tehran in 2023 and Azerbaijan's diplomatic relations with Israel, which Iran's Shiite theocracy views as its main enemy in the region.
The helicopter involved in the incident is part of Iran's aging military air fleet, which largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
As the search and rescue efforts continue, the international community watches closely, hoping for the safe recovery of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, and all others involved in the accident. 17GEN4.com
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