Shruti Suman
Posting on X, PM Modi stated: “Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi’s helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for the well-being of the President and his entourage.”
The helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s foreign minister, and other officials reportedly crashed in the mountainous northwest region of Iran. A massive rescue operation was launched in the foggy forest area, and the public was asked to pray for those involved, according to media reports.
Earlier reports indicated that the helicopter carrying President Raisi had a rough landing. Iranian state TV mentioned that rescue teams were en route to the site.
President Raisi had earlier met with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev at the shared border to inaugurate the jointly built Qiz Qalasi Dam on the Aras River.
Meanwhile, Mohsen Mansouri, the Iranian Deputy President for Executive Affairs, stated that two passengers on the flight had communicated with rescue forces, suggesting the accident was likely not severe. He added that the Information and Communications Technology Ministry had identified the accident location within a 2 km radius.
