Iran President's Helicopter Crashes

Raisi's Condition Unclear, Two Other Helicopters Landed Safely

Report: Helicopter Carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Crashes

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed during a visit to a flood zone in southeastern Iran on Sunday, according to state media. The Deputy Coordinator of Civil Affairs of East Azerbaijan said that there were three helicopters in the convoy, two of which landed safely.

Raisi's condition remains unclear. State media initially reported that he was in stable condition, but later reports said that he had been taken to a hospital for treatment. The Iranian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates said in a statement that Raisi had been injured in the crash, but that his injuries were not life-threatening. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Raisi, a hard-line protégé of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was elected president in 2021. He is a controversial figure, having overseen a crackdown on anti-government protests in the past.