The exact crash site of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been pinpointed, as announced by the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in East Azerbaijan province.
A signal from the crash site confirmed the location.
IRGC Chief Commander Hossein Salami and several other high-ranking officials are at the crash site, conducting an emergency crisis management meeting with local authorities.
Survivors Among the Helicopter's Passengers
Iran's Vice President for Executive Affairs, Mohsen Mansouri, confirmed that there have been intermittent communications with individuals from the crashed helicopter. Mansouri revealed that it seems to be a minor incident, although details remain scarce.
Communication was successfully established with Seyyed Mohammad-Ali Al-Hashem, the Friday imam of the Tabriz mosque, who was on board.
Al-Hashem reported feeling unwell but mentioned hearing the sounds of nearby vehicles and ambulances.
There is currently no further information on the condition of the other crew members and passengers.
Supreme Leader Khamenei's Address to the Nation
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the nation, seeking to calm fears regarding potential disruptions to the country's governance.
"We hope that Almighty God will return our dear president and his colleagues safely to the embrace of the nation," Khamenei said, urging the public not to worry.
International Offers of Assistance
Several countries have offered their support in the search and rescue efforts. At Iran's request, Turkey dispatched 32 mountaineers and six helicopters equipped with night vision technology. Additionally, three more rescue teams, each comprising 15 mountaineers, are on standby.
The European Union has activated its Copernicus satellite system to aid Tehran in the search. European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, confirmed the use of satellite surveillance to support the efforts.
Israel, which is in conflict with Iran, has not officially responded to the incident.
