Khamenei assures calm amid concerns over President Raisi’s helicopter crash

TEHRAN: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power in the Islamic Republic, sought to reassure Iranians, saying there would be no disruption to state affairs after a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed on Sunday as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog.

In a tweet, Khamenei said: “Everyone should pray for the health of these people who are serving the Iranian nation. The nation doesn’t need to be worried or anxious as the administration of the country will not be disrupted at all.”

According to reuters, the official said the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were “at risk following the helicopter crash”, which happened on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan in Iran’s northwest.

“We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Also read: Lives of Iran’s president Raisi, FM at risk following helicopter crash

Iranian state media said bad weather was the cause of the crash and was complicating rescue efforts. The chief of staff of Iran’s army ordered all the resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guard to be put to use in search and rescue operations.

“It is dark and it has started raining, but the search continues. Rescue teams have reached the area … however, the rain has created mud, making the search difficult,” a local reporter told state TV.

State TV had earlier stopped all its regular programming to show prayers being held for Raisi across the country and, in a corner of the screen, live coverage of rescue teams deployed on foot in the mountainous area in heavy fog.

The rescue teams were expected to reach the probable site of the crash later on Sunday evening.

Neighbouring countries expressed concern and offered assistance in any rescue. The White House said U.S. President Joe Biden had been briefed on reports about the crash. The European Union offered emergency satellite mapping technology to help Iran with the search.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Türkiye has taken action to provide all kinds of support to search and rescue activities regarding the helicopter accident involving Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi.