World News
BREAKING: Helicopter Conveying Iranian President Crashes
An helicopter conveying the Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, has been involved in an accident.
According to online reports, the aircraft had a “hard landing” in East Azerbaijan Province and emergency crews have so far been unable to reach it due to foggy conditions, However, as at the time of filing this report, the status of Raisi’s helicopter is unknown.
On board with the President were Ayatollah Al Hashem Imam of Tabriz, Hossein Amir Abdollahian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malik Rahmati Governor of East Azerbaijan and a number of other people.
According to semi-offical Iran news agency, Tasnim news, the helicopter was part of a convoy of three helicopters. Two of those helicopters were carrying ministers and officials who arrived at their destination safely, according to Tasnim.
The Interior Minister said rescuers were still trying to reach the site due to the difficult weather conditions.
About Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
Mr Raisi, 63, was elected president on his second attempt in 2021. He is seen as a hardline cleric and regarded as a potential successor one day to Ayatollah Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader since 1989.
In 2019, the Supreme Leader named him to the powerful position of head of the judiciary.
Mr Raisi was also elected as deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, the 88-member clerical body responsible for electing the next Supreme Leader.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
