UPDATES WITH REMARKS BY AZERBAIJAN'S PRESIDENT
By Necva Tastan
ISTANBUL (AA) - The US State Department announced on Sunday that they are closely monitoring developments regarding the helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which reportedly made a "hard landing."
"We are closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister. We have no further comment at this time," said the spokesperson of the US State Department.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed serious concern over the helicopter's emergency landing carrying Raisi and his delegation.
"Today, after meeting with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ibrahim Raisi, we were seriously worried by the news that the helicopter carrying the high delegation made an emergency landing in Iran. Our prayers to Almighty God are with President Ibrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation. As a neighboring, friendly and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan is ready to provide all kinds of support," said Aliyev on X.
- Helicopter crash in Iran
The helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reportedly made a hard landing due to weather conditions while returning from a dam inauguration ceremony on the Azerbaijan border.
The Iranian Red Crescent previously announced that the "crash" occurred between Kaleybar and Varzaqan. Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi emphasized that rescue teams had not yet reached the area.
East Azerbaijan Deputy Governor Jabbarali Zakiri stated that two of the three helicopters in Raisi's convoy had landed, while one had crashed.
It was reported that the helicopter carrying Raisi included several officials, among them Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.
* Rabia Iclal Turan contributed to this story