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

DUBAI: The lives of Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian are at risk following the helicopter crash.

Read more: Helicopter carrying Iran’s president Raisi makes rough landing

Iranian official to Reuters said, ‘We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning’.

Iran state TV shows rescue teams in the area near the helicopter accident site.

State TV 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 searching the mountainous area on foot in heavy fog.

Iranian Army Chief of Staff Bagheri orders the utilization of all resources of army and the guards for rescue and search operations regarding President Raisi’s helicopter crash.

President Raisi’s helicopter crash was due to adverse weather conditions, the injury or death of passengers cannot be confirmed, Iran’s state media has reported.

Dispatched rescue teams will reach the probable coordinates of President Raisi’s helicopter crash within half an hour, Iran’s state media has reported.

Biden briefed on helicopter crash

Biden has been briefed on reports of the crash of a helicopter carrying the Iranian president, a statement issued by the white house read.

Iraq offers help

Iraq has instructed its interior ministry, the Red Crescent and other relevant bodies to offer help to neighbouring Iran and assist in the search after the Iranian president’s helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain, the Iraqi government said in a statement.

More to follow