Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter crashed in northern Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province during a visit to the region, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA.
The incident occurred while returning from an event at a dam on Iran’s border with Azerbaijan.
The exact condition of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who were on board along with other dignitaries, remains unclear due to foggy conditions hindering rescue efforts.
The crash site, in the Dizmar Forest area between the villages of Ozi and Pir Davood, prompted a swift response from Iranian armed forces and local authorities.
Twenty rescue teams and drones were dispatched to the area, but the dense fog has delayed their efforts.
Officials, including Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, acknowledged difficulties in establishing contact with the passengers due to the complex terrain and adverse weather.
President Raisi, Iran’s eighth president, took office in 2021 and is a former judiciary chief known for his hardline policies.
His tenure as chief justice was marked by increased repression of dissent and human rights abuses.
Raisi’s presidency signaled a shift towards a more conservative era in Iran, following his victory in a presidential contest that was criticized for lacking competition.