A search and rescue effort is underway in Iran, after a suspected helicopter crash involving the country’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
Heavy fog and mountainous terrain are hampering rescue efforts, according to state media reports.
Here’s what we know.
Suspected helicopter crash
The pair were returning tofrom the opening ceremony of a new dam on the country’s border with Azerbaijan when it’s believed their helicopter crashed.
Iranian state media reports a signal was received from the helicopter and the mobile phone of a passenger, as rescuers attempt to pinpoint the helicopter’s exact location in foggy conditions.
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Iran’s President is not the country’s most powerful leader. Its head of state is the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a televised, Khamenei asked Iranians to “pray for the health” of the missing leaders.
Global reaction
A UN spokesperson said Secretary-General António Guterres “hopes for the safety of the president and his entourage”.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson said they are “closely following reports”. Russia – a key ally of Iran – said it is “ready to extend all necessary help” in the search effort.
Turkey, Iraq, and the European Union have all offered to help the rescue operation.
