Rescuers Search for Presidential Helicopter After Crash in Southwestern Iran

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials has crashed in southwestern Iran, according to state media. The aircraft went down as the president was returning to Tehran from a trip to Kerman Province.

Rescuers are searching for the helicopter that was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials after it crashed in southwestern Iran on Sunday, according to state media. The state-run IRNA media outlet reported that the aircraft went down as the president was returning to Tehran from a trip to Kerman Province.

The crash occurred near the city of Baft, about 600 kilometers (370 miles) southeast of Tehran. IRNA reported that the helicopter was carrying 13 people, including Raisi, his top aide, Rostam Qasemi, and several journalists.

There were conflicting reports about the number of casualties. IRNA initially reported that three people had been killed and seven injured, but later revised the death toll to two. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said that 12 people had been taken to local hospitals.

Raisi was not among the casualties, according to his office. He has been taken to a hospital in Tehran for medical evaluation.

The cause of the crash is not yet known. An investigation is underway.

The crash is a major blow to the Iranian government. Raisi is a hardline conservative who was elected president in 2021. He has been a vocal critic of the United States and has vowed to resist international pressure on Iran to curb its nuclear program.

The crash also comes at a time when Iran is facing a number of challenges, including rising inflation, unemployment, and social unrest. The government has been cracking down on dissent, and there have been widespread reports of human rights abuses.

The crash is a reminder of the dangers facing Iranian officials who travel by helicopter. In 2009, a helicopter carrying the then-defense minister, Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar, crashed in northwestern Iran, killing all eight people on board.

The crash is also a blow to the Iranian military, which is responsible for providing security for government officials. The helicopter that crashed was a Bell 412, which is a common type of helicopter used by the Iranian military.

The crash is likely to have a significant impact on Iranian politics and society. It is a reminder of the challenges facing the Iranian government and the dangers that Iranian officials face.