Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s Helicopter Makes Hard Landing: State Media

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi experienced a “hard landing” on Sunday in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, Iranian state media reported. The incident, which took place near Jolfa, a city on the border with Azerbaijan, occurred while Raisi was traveling with Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

Details about the incident are still scarce, with reports indicating that the helicopter may have crashed. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but poor weather conditions, including heavy rains, fog, and wind, have hampered the operation.

It is currently unknown whether Raisi or any other passengers on board were injured in the hard landing. The incident comes as tensions in the Middle East are escalating, with recent missile exchanges between Iran and Israel.

Despite the chilly relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, Raisi had visited the country earlier in the day to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. This incident highlights the challenges Iran faces in maintaining its military air fleet, which largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution due to international sanctions.

The situation is still developing, and further updates are awaited. For the latest news updates, stay tuned.