A helicopter in a convoy conveying Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, to east Azerbaijan province to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, has reportedly crashed on Sunday.
Details of the crash and others on board were sketchy at press time but rescuers were trying to reach the site of the “incident”, state television reported on Sunday.
The country’s finance minister, Amir Abdollahian, was also reportedly with the president in the helicopter amid reports that two of the three helicopters in the president’s convoy safely reached their destination.
Iran reportedly flies a variety of helicopters in the country, but it is hindered by international sanctions to obtain parts for them. The Iranian military air fleet also largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The 63-year-old Raisi is said to be a hard-line former head of the Islamic Republic’s judiciary. He is viewed as a disciple of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and some analysts believe he could replace the 85-year-old leader after his death or resignation from the role.
Details Later…
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