May 19th 2024.
Breaking News: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter experienced a "hard landing" on Sunday, according to Iranian state media. The exact details of the incident have yet to be revealed.
Raisi was on his way to Iran's East Azerbaijan province, accompanied by Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of the province, and other officials. The incident occurred near the city of Jolfa, on the border with Azerbaijan, which is about 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran.
Initial reports from a local government official described the incident as a "crash," but he admitted he had not yet reached the site himself. The condition of the president is currently unknown, and neither state media nor state TV have provided any updates.
Rescuers are facing challenges due to poor weather conditions, including heavy rain, fog, and wind. The area where the incident occurred is described as a "forest" by the Iranian news agency IRNA.
Prior to the incident, Raisi was in Azerbaijan to inaugurate a dam with President Ilham Aliyev. This visit comes at a time of strained relations between the two countries, including a 2023 attack on Azerbaijan's embassy in Tehran and Azerbaijan's diplomatic ties with Israel, which is considered as Iran's main enemy in the region.
Iran faces challenges in maintaining its air fleet due to international sanctions, and its military aircraft mostly dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
At 63 years old, Raisi is known for his hard-line stance and previously served as the country's judiciary leader. He is considered a protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and some experts predict he may take over as leader after Khamenei's death or resignation.
Raisi won the 2021 presidential election, which had the lowest turnout in the history of the Islamic Republic. However, he is currently sanctioned by the US for his involvement in the execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988.
Under Raisi's leadership, Iran has increased its uranium enrichment to nearly weapons-grade levels and has hindered international inspections. It has also been involved in conflicts, such as providing weapons to Russia in its war against Ukraine and launching a drone and missile attack on Israel during its conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, Iran continues to support proxy groups in the Middle East, including Yemen's Houthi rebels and Lebanon's Hezbollah.
This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for further updates on this breaking news.
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