Helicopter Carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Makes “Hard Landing” in Mountainous Region

Iranian state media reported that a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and other top officials made a “hard landing” on Sunday, with no immediate word on casualties.

According to the state-run IRNA media outlet, the aircraft carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and other senior officials went down in a mountainous area in northwestern Iran as they were returning from an event near Iran’s border with Azerbaijan. Two of the three helicopters on the trip reached their destination safely, but crews were still searching for the one carrying Raisi, as reported by state media.

Iran’s Interior Minister, Ahmad Vahidi, confirmed the “hard landing” of the president’s helicopter and announced that a search-and-rescue operation is underway. Vahidi stated, “Various rescue groups are moving towards the site, but due to the fog and bad weather, it may take time to reach the area. The work is under control.” He added that there had been contacts with some of the president’s companions, but the mountainous terrain and poor conditions made communication difficult. Rescue teams are expected to reach the site soon for more information.

IRNA reported that two passengers on the flight had communicated with rescue workers. Twenty rescue teams, including drones and dogs, had been sent to the scene, and the Iranian military had also deployed troops to assist in the rescue effort. The Fars News Agency posted video footage of rescue teams dispatched to the area of the helicopter’s “hard landing.”

Earlier in the day, the Iranian government’s X account posted an image of Raisi seated next to Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, at the opening of a dam along the border between the two countries. A post on Raisi’s Instagram page asked supporters to pray for his health and that of his fellow passengers.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, posted on X: “We hope Almighty God will return the respected, esteemed President and his entourage to the arms of the nation.” He added that the government would continue functioning amid the ongoing situation.

Ebrahim Raisi, a former cleric and judge, was elected president in 2021. Upon taking office, Raisi stated that Iran would continue to honor its nuclear deal with the U.S., despite former President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the agreement in 2018. Raisi is viewed as more of a hard-liner than his predecessor, Hassan Rouhani.

Last month, Raisi celebrated Iran’s attack on Israel following an airstrike in Damascus that killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran blamed Israel for the bombing, although Israel did not claim responsibility. Israel reported intercepting 99% of the missiles and drones Iran fired during its retaliatory strike.

While Iran’s president heads its government, the country is ultimately ruled by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who sets national policies and supervises their implementation. Khamenei also controls the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the police force.

According to Iran’s constitution, if the president dies while in office, the first vice president assumes the role with the supreme leader’s approval, and a new election must be held within 50 days.