A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, suffered a rough landing on Sunday.
The incident occurred while crossing a mountainous area in heavy fog on the way back from a visit to Azerbaijan.
The bad weather was complicating rescue efforts, with at least 20 rescue teams, including drones and search dogs, attempting to reach the site.
The helicopter was also carrying local officials, including the governor of East Azerbaijan province, Malik Rahmati, and Raisi’s security detail.
The condition of President Raisi and the other passengers was unclear, with state news reports airing prayers for their safety.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi stated that one of the helicopters in a group of three had come down hard, and authorities were awaiting further details.
The area was experiencing heavy rain, fog, and wind, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach the site.
Raisi, 63, was elected president in 2021 and has since overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers. He is viewed as a strong contender to succeed his mentor, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
