A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi missing

Tehran May 19, 2024 (QJ) -A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister had a rough landing on Sunday while flying over mountainous terrain with heavy fog, returning from a visit to Azerbaijan, according to Iranian news agencies.

The bad weather complicated rescue efforts, as reported by the Iranian government news agency IRNA.

Rescue teams were expected to reach the site of the potential crash by Sunday evening.

Raisi, 63, was elected president in a second attempt in 2021. Since taking office, he has enforced stricter morality laws and overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests, while also pushing forward nuclear negotiations with world powers.

Raisi was at the Azerbaijan border on Sunday to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, a joint project. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who gave Raisi a “friendly farewell” earlier that morning, offered assistance with the rescue efforts. Neighbouring Iraq also provided help.