An Iranian official informed state-run media that the lives of President Raisi and International Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian are “in danger” following a crash of the president’s helicopter on Sunday.
“We’re nonetheless hopeful, however data coming from the crash web site could be very regarding,” the official mentioned.
The state-run Islamic Republic Information Company (IRNA) mentioned Raisi was coming back from a ceremony to open a dam on Iran’s border with Azerbaijan when his helicopter was compelled to make a “arduous touchdown.”
The incident is believed to have occurred close to Jolfa, a metropolis on the border with Azerbaijan, some 375 miles northwest of Tehran, Iran’s capital.
Along with the president and the international minister, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, Malik Rahmati, and different officers have been additionally on board the helicopter, IRNA reported.
If Raisi is just not discovered alive, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will take his place, and new elections can be held throughout the subsequent 50 days, in line with state media reviews.
State TV deserted its common programming to point out prayers being held for Raisi throughout Iran, Reuters reported.
One native authorities official used the phrase “crash” to explain the incident, however he informed an Iranian newspaper that he had but visited the location himself, the Related Press reported.
State media didn’t present any data on Raisi’s situation or the opposite officers on board the helicopter.
The tough climate situations and heavy fog have difficult the efforts of rescue groups, who arrived on the crash web site an hour after the incident occurred, IRNA reviews.
Video footage from the crash web site reveals the state of the climate situations.
Raisi, 63, had been touring in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province for the inauguration of the Qizqalaasi dam on the Aras river, which runs alongside Iran’s border with Azerbaijan.
The hardline president is seen as a favourite of Iran’s Supreme Chief, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Many see Raisi as a powerful contender to succeed his 85-year-old mentor, Reuters reported.
He’s sanctioned by the US, partly due to his position within the execution of 1000’s of political prisoners in 1988 on the finish of the Iran-Iraq warfare.
Final month, Iran launched greater than 300 drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles at Israel.
This can be a breaking information story.
