Iran’s president, foreign minister missing after helicopter crash

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed on Sunday as it was crossing mountainous terrain in heavy fog on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan.Office of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran via Getty Images

An Iranian government handout of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inaugurating the Qiz Qalasi Dam on their joint border just hours before the Iranian president’s helicopter crashed.There was immediate speculation from international commentators and online conspiracy theorists that the helicopter incident would be blamed on Israel, further inflaming relations in the Middle East.

Iran’s army chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri ordered all military resources to be directed to the search and rescue operation, state TV reported. “Various rescue teams are on their way to the region but because of the poor weather and fogginess it might take time for them to reach the helicopter.

A rescue helicopter tried to reach the area, but it could not land due to heavy mist, emergency services spokesman Babak Yektaparast told IRNA. Iran flies a variety of helicopters, but international sanctions make it difficult to obtain parts for them. Its military air fleet also largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

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