Uncertainty hangs over the fate of Iranian President Ebrahim Raïssi, victim of a helicopter accident on Sunday in the province of East Azerbaijan (northwest of Iran). Here is what we know at this stage about this accident.
What happened ?
“An accident occurred with the helicopter transporting the president” in the Jolfa region, in the heart of a sparsely populated mountainous area, state television said. The Minister of the Interior, Ahmed Vahidi, spoke to state television of a “hard landing” of the aircraft, without giving additional details. The aircraft was part of a convoy of three helicopters transporting the presidential delegation.
Two of them landed safely in Tabriz, the large city in the northwest, but not the one in which Ebrahim Raïssi, 63, was. The accident site is believed to be located in the Dizmar forest, near the town of Varzaghan. Shortly before, the Iranian president inaugurated a dam in the province of Eastern Azerbaijan, accompanied by his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliev, on the border between the two countries.
Who was on board?
The official Irna news agency indicated that in addition to the president, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the governor of the province as well as the main imam of the region were among the passengers of the plane.
Where is the research?
Intense searches were underway late Sunday afternoon in northwest Iran. “More than 20 rescue teams equipped with full equipment, including drones and rescue dogs,” were “sent to the site,” according to the Irna agency.
But the searches are made very difficult by the “unfavorable weather conditions”, indicated the Minister of the Interior. “It may take time to reach the area,” he added. State television broadcast images of several members of the Iranian Red Crescent walking in thick fog.
What scenario in the event of Ebrahim Raïssi’s death?
Several ministers left Tehran late in the afternoon to reach Tabriz, according to the government spokesperson. It is the vice-president, Mohammad Mokhber, who would take over the functions of president in the event of the death of Ebrahim Raïssi, pending the holding of a presidential election within fifty days.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called on Iranians “not to worry” about the country, saying “there will be no disruption” and saying “hope that God will bring back the president and His companions “.
The evolution of the situation is being carefully monitored internationally and offers of assistance for research are multiplying, notably from Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the EU, which has “activated its mapping service”.