Helicopter Carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Makes Hard Landing in Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi encountered a “hard landing” on Sunday in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, according to Iranian state media. The incident occurred near Jolfa, a city on the border with Azerbaijan, about 375 miles northwest of Tehran. Details surrounding the incident were initially contradictory, with some reports placing it near the village of Uzi.
Raisi was accompanied by Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, and other officials and bodyguards. While the exact condition of Raisi remains unknown, hard-liners in Iran called on the public to pray for his well-being. State TV later aired images of people praying at Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, one of Shiite Islam’s holiest sites.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi explained that the hard landing was a result of bad weather and fog. Rescue teams were dispatched to the region, but due to poor weather conditions, reaching the site was proving challenging. The area is described as rugged and difficult to access.
Rescue efforts were further hindered by heavy rain, fog, and wind. A rescue helicopter attempted to reach the area but was unable to land due to the thick mist. Images showed SUVs racing through the wooded area in an attempt to reach the site.
Raisi had been at the border with Azerbaijan that day to inaugurate a dam with President Ilham Aliyev. Despite strained relations between the two nations, including a previous gun attack on Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Tehran and Azerbaijan’s diplomatic ties with Israel, Raisi’s visit aimed to strengthen cooperation in dam construction.
Iran faces challenges in maintaining its helicopter fleet due to international sanctions that limit access to spare parts. The country’s military air fleet primarily consists of outdated aircraft from before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Ebrahim Raisi, 63, is a hard-line leader who previously served as Iran’s judiciary chief. He is seen as a protege of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader. Speculation has arisen that Raisi could potentially succeed Khamenei in the future. However, he faces U.S. sanctions for his involvement in the mass execution of political prisoners in 1988.
Under Raisi’s leadership, Iran has escalated its uranium enrichment program, reaching nearly weapons-grade levels and impeding international inspections. The country has also been involved in conflicts abroad, including providing arms to Russia in its war against Ukraine and launching a significant drone-and-missile attack on Israel during its conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Iran continues to arm proxy groups in the Middle East, such as Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
The incident involving President Raisi’s helicopter highlights the challenges Iran faces in maintaining its aging fleet and the risks associated with adverse weather conditions. It also raises questions about the country’s leadership succession and its impact on regional dynamics. As rescue efforts continue, the world awaits further updates on the condition of President Raisi and those on board the helicopter.
