Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s Whereabouts Unknown After Helicopter Incident
Despite conflicting reports regarding the discovery of the location where his helicopter went down, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has not been found. The Iranian Red Crescent quickly dismissed the initial reports, and emergency crews are currently conducting a search in a remote area near the Dizmar Protected Area in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. This search is happening while the rest of the convoy continues.
Reports of a helicopter in the president’s convoy crashing first circulated on social media and were quickly picked up by local media. An initial report by the state-linked Mehr news website said Raisi had opted to travel to Tabriz by car due to foggy weather conditions and that he was safe. However, this news was subsequently taken down after state television confirmed that the missing helicopter was carrying Raisi and other officials. State television said the helicopter suffered a “hard landing”.
Travelling with Ebrahim Raisi were Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati, and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to East Azerbaijan.
The helicopter fell in the Dizmar Protected Area, a wildlife corridor across the border with Azerbaijan. Initially, state TV said the helicopter fell near Jolfa, a city on the border with Azerbaijan, but later, it was reported to have fallen farther east near the village of Uzi. According to state television, sudden bad weather in Dizmar led to the accident.
No, two of the three helicopters in the president’s convoy made it back safely to the city of Tabriz. Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Housing and Transportation Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash were in the helicopters that made it back safely.
What’s the Problem? Why Can’t They Find the Helicopter Passengers?
Rescuers are facing challenges due to poor weather conditions, including heavy rain, fog, and wind. The area where the helicopter fell is described as a “forest” that is difficult to access.
Rescue efforts are being hampered by muddy terrain and nighttime darkness. The European Commission’s Copernicus satellite mapping system has been activated to assist, and Iraq has instructed its interior ministry, the Red Crescent, and other bodies to aid in the search.
Who’s in Charge in Iran While the President Is Missing or If He Dies?
First, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber would assume power in Raisi’s absence, pending approval from the Supreme Leader if the president is confirmed deceased or incapacitated. An election would then be arranged within no more than 50 days.
As the situation unfolds, calls have been made for Iranians to pray for Raisi’s safety and the safety of those with him in the aircraft. The government has not made many formal statements about the incident yet, as there are still many details that are not clear.
