Helicopter carrying Iran president in hard landing - state media

State media has reported that there was an accident involving a helicopter transporting the Iranian president.

Official news outlets have reported that President Ebrahim Raisi was present during a helicopter landing on Sunday that was rough in nature.

There were reports that Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian may have been onboard the said vehicle.

The Minister in charge of Interior Affairs mentioned that the individuals who are in charge of rescuing are working hard to reach the location even though they are facing unfavorable weather circumstances.

The well-being of the individuals onboard the helicopter is currently unknown and there are reports of no communication made yet.

As per reports from regional news outlets, President Raisi was en route to Tabriz, located in the northwest of Iran, after his visit to the bordering country of Azerbaijan. During his time there, he inaugurated the Qiz Qalasi and Khodaafarin dams.

A journalist with Fars news agency reported that the dense fog is causing challenges in locating the possible landing area of the helicopter.

According to his statement, the range of visibility in the hilly and forested zone was limited to approximately five meters.

The location lies approximately 50km in a northerly direction from Tabriz.

Ahmad Alirezabeigi, a member of parliament from Tabriz, Iran, informed journalists in Tehran that the rescue team is still searching for the whereabouts of the helicopter containing the Iranian President and Foreign Minister.

He stated that the remaining two helicopters in the group touched down without harm.

It is reported that some other authorities were aboard the helicopter that has disappeared.

A video has surfaced on national television that displays believers praying for the well-being of the leader in the sacred town of Mashhad.

A representative from the US State Department has stated to CBS News, which is partnered with BBC, that they are keeping a close eye on the external reports.

In 2021, Mr Raisi became the president on his second try. He is known as a strong and strict religious leader, and some people think he could become the next supreme leader after Ayatollah Khamenei, who has been in power since 1989.

Last year, the Supreme Leader appointed him as the head of the judiciary, a position with significant power.

In addition, Mr Raisi was chosen to serve as the second in command of the Assembly of Experts, a group composed of 88 religious officials that selects the forthcoming Supreme Leader.

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