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Iranian President's Helicopter Goes Down In Bad Weather In Remote Mountainous Region

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda May 19, 2024

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other government officials went down on May 19 in bad weather conditions in northwestern Iran, setting off a frantic search and rescue operations that continued into the night.

The helicopter was on its way to the city of Tabriz when it went down near the city of Jolfa in what state television said was a "hard landing," but several news reports quoted government sources as saying the helicopter crashed as it crossed a mountainous and forested area.

The Iranian government said the helicopter was one of three flying in a convoy, and the other two reportedly landed safely in Tabriz. The massive search operation continued after darkness as rescue teams searched on foot in heavy rain and fog, according to images posted by IRNA on X, formerly Twitter.

State television reported that contact had been made with one of the passengers on the helicopter and one of the flight crew, raising hopes about the situation, but no details were provided about the condition of anyone involved. State television later reported that the helicopter had been found, but the Iranian Red Crescent denied the report.

The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province was quoted by state media as saying a signal had been detected from the cell phone of one of the passengers on board the helicopter, and members of the IRGC were heading to the area.

Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said on state television that "various rescue teams" were on their way to the region, but because of the poor weather "it might take time for them to reach the helicopter."

Several countries, including Iraq, Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, offered to help in the search effort. The Turkish Defense Ministry said it sent a drone and a helicopter with night vision, and the European Union activated its Copernicus satellite mapping service at Iran's request, Janez Lenarcic, the European commissioner for crisis management, said on X.

Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian had been in Azerbaijan earlier on May 19 to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who said on X that Azerbaijan was "profoundly troubled" by the news that Raisi's helicopter had gone down.

"Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation. As a neighbor, friend, and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed."

Hours after the search began, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a brief statement late calling for prayers.

"We hope God returns the president and his companions to the nation's embrace. Everyone should pray for them. The people of Iran don't need to worry. The country's affairs will not be disrupted," he said.

State TV showed people praying at the Imam Reza Shrine in the city of Mashhad, one of Shi'ite Islam's holiest sites, as well as in Qom and other locations across the country.

Armenia and Iraq expressed shock over the news and said they were available to help.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry said on X that its "thoughts & prayers" were with Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian, and all others reported to be onboard the helicopter.

"As rescue operations continue, #Armenia, as a close & friendly neighbor of Iran, is ready to provide all necessary support," it said.

Iraq also offered help in the search and rescue efforts, according to government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi.

Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani instructed the Interior Ministry, the Iraqi Red Crescent, and other relevant authorities "to offer the Islamic Republic of Iran the available resources to aid in the search for the Iranian president's aircraft," al-Awadi said in the statement.

The U.S. State Department, responding to a request for comment from RFE/RL, said it was "closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister. We have no further comment at this time."

European Council President Charles Michel reacted to reports about the incident on X.

"Following closely reports that the helicopter carrying the Iranian President and the foreign minister has been forced to land unexpectedly and their condition not yet clear," Michel said. "Together with EU member states and partners, we are monitoring the situation closely."

Raisi was traveling in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province. State TV described the location of the incident as being near Jolfa, a city on the border with the country of Azerbaijan, some 600 kilometers northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Raisi, 63, is a hard-liner who won Iran's 2021 presidential election after leading the country's judiciary. He is viewed as a protege of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Raisi has been sanctioned by the United States in part over his involvement in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq War.

Some reports have noted that because of international sanctions it has been difficult for Iran to obtain parts for its aging helicopter fleet.

Iranian law stipulates that if the president dies, power is transferred to the first vice president. A council consisting of the speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the head of the judicial power, and the first vice president must arrange for a new president to be elected within 50 days. The current first vice president of Iran is Mohammad Mokhber.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-raisi-helicopter-incident- azerbaijan/32953777.html

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Iranian President's Helicopter Goes Down In Bad Weather In Remote Mountainous Region