Contact has reportedly been established with two passengers from the helicopter, as per Fars News Agency. However, official information regarding their status and the overall condition of the passengers has not yet been provided.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crash on May 19, has triggered concern and a massive rescue operation. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has expressed his worries while calling for national prayers and reassuring the public about the continuity of governance, Al Jazeera reports.
⭕ BREAKING: #Iranian #President @raisi_com helicopter #crash triggers massive #rescue #operation#State #television has not provided information on #Raisi’s condition following the incident, but hard-liners urged the public to #pray for him.
— Daryo | Central Asia & Afghanistan (@DaryoEng) May 19, 2024
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Khamenei, in a meeting with families of IRGC personnel, addressed the situation, saying,
“We hope that God returns the honourable president and his companions to the arms of the nation.”
He further added,
“All must pray for the health of this group of civil servants. The Iranian nation must not be concerned or worried, there will be no disruption in the work of the country.”
In the event that President Raisi is unable to perform his duties due to the crash, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst highlighted that Iran’s political system is capable of handling such a "shock."
He noted, “Clearly, this is a grave incident, and having the president and the foreign minister together in the same helicopter is not exactly the best of signs. But be that as it may, Iran, since its Islamic revolution in 1979… has proved to be more than capable of taking all sorts of shots [against it], especially when it comes to political leaders.”
He emphasized that Iran’s system is not a typical totalitarian regime where the collapse of one leader would dismantle the entire government.
“There is a really strong elite that is governing in Iran, but there’s also a strong system in Iran that’s developing and evolving over the past four decades in a way where there are checks and balances,” he explained.
Internationally, the news has elicited responses of concern and offers of support. Armenia’s foreign ministry issued a statement expressing shock and solidarity, saying,
“As rescue operations continue, Armenia, as a close and friendly neighbour of Iran, is ready to provide all necessary support.”
Shocked by the news coming from #Iran. Our thoughts & prayers are w/President Raisi, Minister @Amirabdolahian & all others reported to be at the site.
— MFA of Armenia🇦🇲 (@MFAofArmenia) May 19, 2024
As rescue operations continue, #Armenia, as a close & friendly neighbor of Iran, is ready to provide all necessary support.…
Additionally, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his worries, stating he was “deeply concerned” about the crash.
Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi’s helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2024
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