CHILLING footage exhibits Iran’s lacking president in a helicopter moments earlier than it crashed.
Ebrahim Raisi is seen within the video from inside a chopper earlier than his disappearance on Sunday as rain and fog hamper drastic search efforts for the controversial chief.
His panicked aides have warned Raisi’s life is “in danger” as Iran’s allies – together with Russia – scramble help for the hunt.
The Hamas-backing president, 63, had been on the Azerbaijani border to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam earlier than the crash.
Raisi was travelling with the governor of East Azerbaijan province and International Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in a convoy of three choppers.
However the different two helicopters landed safely at their vacation spot as Raisi’s disappeared.
It sparked a mammoth search operation – with groups scouring the mountainous space whereas grappling with extreme climate circumstances.
SUVs had been despatched racing by wooded areas whereas a rescue chopper tried to achieve the probably crash website.
It was unable to land on account of heavy mist – prompting Turkey to ship a drone to help search efforts.
Iranian state TV stopped all common programming to air prayers and in addition confirmed what is known to be the final footage of Raisi earlier than the crash.
Within the clip, the chief is seen looking of the window, with an unidentified member of his delegation sat reverse him.
The helicopter is reported to have vanished from the radar amid thick fog.
The incident is believed to have occurred close to Jolfa – a metropolis on the border with Azerbaijan, some 375 miles northwest of Tehran.
An Iranian official mentioned the complete military and Iranian guard sources had been summoned to hunt for Raisi and warned his life is “in danger”.
“We’re nonetheless hopeful however data coming from the crash website could be very regarding,” the official mentioned.
Hours after the crash, Reuters news company quoted state media as saying Raisi’s chopper was found by search and rescue groups.
However moments later, Iran’s Purple Crescent denied the report.
Iranian state information company IRNA has since reported that though the positioning of the presumed crash has not but been discovered, the search space is narrowing and now has a 2km radius.
Iranian TV has proven footage of rescuers strolling up steep slopes in driving rain and darkness.
It comes after an Iranian official mentioned contact had been made with one of many passengers and one of many crew members of the President’s helicopter on a number of events amid the search.
Iranian state media mentioned unhealthy climate was the reason for the crash and had sophisticated the rescue mission, with a rescue helicopter unable to land.
Search efforts have reportedly been concentrated round a copper mine the place visibility is presently lower than 5 metres.
No less than 40 rescue groups have been deployed to the crash website.
The chief of workers of Iran’s army ordered all of the sources of the military and the elite Revolutionary Guard to be put to make use of in search and rescue operations.
“It’s darkish and it has began raining, however the search continues,” a neighborhood reporter advised state TV.
“Rescue groups have reached the world … nonetheless, the rain has created mud, making the search tough.”
Iran‘s inside minister, Ahmed Vahidi, mentioned Raisi was on his approach again from the inauguration occasion “when the helicopter carrying him had a tough touchdown because of the foggy weather within the space”.
The crash comes at a time of rising dissent inside Iran over an array of political, social and financial crises.
What occurs if an Iranian president is incapacitated or dies in workplace?
Beneath is a short define of what Iran’s structure says occurs if a president is incapacitated or dies in workplace:
* In keeping with article 131 of the Islamic Republic’s structure, if a president dies in workplace the primary vp takes over, with the affirmation of the supreme chief, who has the ultimate say in all issues of state.
* A council consisting of the primary vp, the speaker of parliament and the top of the judiciary should organize a election for a brand new president inside a most interval of fifty days.
Ebrahim Raisi was elected president in 2021 and, underneath the present timetable, presidential elections are on account of happen in 2025.
Footage even exhibits folks setting off fireworks, reportedly in response to information of the crash.
In the meantime, in Tehran, dozens have gathered in Valiasr Sq. to wish for his or her president.
Reviews declare riot police are gathering on the streets within the capital and the town of Rasht, with the suggestion they are going to be used to quell celebrations if Raisi’s demise is introduced within the morning.
Raisi secured a victory through the 2021 presidential election, which noticed the bottom turnout within the nation’s history.
Since taking workplace he has ordered a tightening of morality legal guidelines, overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed laborious in nuclear talks with world powers.
It comes weeks after Iran unleashed an unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on Jerusalem which was branded “a declaration of struggle” by Israel.
Greater than 300 drones and missiles had been launched at Israel by Iran and its proxy teams in Lebanon and Yemen – 99 per cent of which were intercepted, based on the Israeli navy.
Regardless of the tensions, footage reportedly exhibits members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Saberin Particular Forces making ready to enter a forested space as a part of the search.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is known to be amongst world leaders to supply help.
He’s reported to have ordered the deployment of two plane and 50 rescue personnel to Tabriz as a part of the search effort.
Former UK defence minister Tobias Ellwood advised Sky Information: “It does not bode nicely when it takes so lengthy to get in contact with what’s occurred.”
He added {that a} lack of knowledge from Iranian state media is regarding.
The Tory MP mentioned: “If the president was alive, it could verify it right away, but when he has died then they might be delaying any announcement to make sure contingency plans are in place.”
He added the potential demise of Riasi may imply there are “large geopolitical penalties for Iran”.
CHILLING footage exhibits Iran’s lacking president in a helicopter moments earlier than it crashed.
Ebrahim Raisi is seen within the video from inside a chopper earlier than his disappearance on Sunday as rain and fog hamper drastic search efforts for the controversial chief.
His panicked aides have warned Raisi’s life is “in danger” as Iran’s allies – together with Russia – scramble help for the hunt.
The Hamas-backing president, 63, had been on the Azerbaijani border to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam earlier than the crash.
Raisi was travelling with the governor of East Azerbaijan province and International Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in a convoy of three choppers.
However the different two helicopters landed safely at their vacation spot as Raisi’s disappeared.
It sparked a mammoth search operation – with groups scouring the mountainous space whereas grappling with extreme climate circumstances.
SUVs had been despatched racing by wooded areas whereas a rescue chopper tried to achieve the probably crash website.
It was unable to land on account of heavy mist – prompting Turkey to ship a drone to help search efforts.
Iranian state TV stopped all common programming to air prayers and in addition confirmed what is known to be the final footage of Raisi earlier than the crash.
Within the clip, the chief is seen looking of the window, with an unidentified member of his delegation sat reverse him.
The helicopter is reported to have vanished from the radar amid thick fog.
The incident is believed to have occurred close to Jolfa – a metropolis on the border with Azerbaijan, some 375 miles northwest of Tehran.
An Iranian official mentioned the complete military and Iranian guard sources had been summoned to hunt for Raisi and warned his life is “in danger”.
“We’re nonetheless hopeful however data coming from the crash website could be very regarding,” the official mentioned.
Hours after the crash, Reuters news company quoted state media as saying Raisi’s chopper was found by search and rescue groups.
However moments later, Iran’s Purple Crescent denied the report.
Iranian state information company IRNA has since reported that though the positioning of the presumed crash has not but been discovered, the search space is narrowing and now has a 2km radius.
Iranian TV has proven footage of rescuers strolling up steep slopes in driving rain and darkness.
It comes after an Iranian official mentioned contact had been made with one of many passengers and one of many crew members of the President’s helicopter on a number of events amid the search.
Iranian state media mentioned unhealthy climate was the reason for the crash and had sophisticated the rescue mission, with a rescue helicopter unable to land.
Search efforts have reportedly been concentrated round a copper mine the place visibility is presently lower than 5 metres.
No less than 40 rescue groups have been deployed to the crash website.
The chief of workers of Iran’s army ordered all of the sources of the military and the elite Revolutionary Guard to be put to make use of in search and rescue operations.
“It’s darkish and it has began raining, however the search continues,” a neighborhood reporter advised state TV.
“Rescue groups have reached the world … nonetheless, the rain has created mud, making the search tough.”
Iran‘s inside minister, Ahmed Vahidi, mentioned Raisi was on his approach again from the inauguration occasion “when the helicopter carrying him had a tough touchdown because of the foggy weather within the space”.
The crash comes at a time of rising dissent inside Iran over an array of political, social and financial crises.
What occurs if an Iranian president is incapacitated or dies in workplace?
Beneath is a short define of what Iran’s structure says occurs if a president is incapacitated or dies in workplace:
* In keeping with article 131 of the Islamic Republic’s structure, if a president dies in workplace the primary vp takes over, with the affirmation of the supreme chief, who has the ultimate say in all issues of state.
* A council consisting of the primary vp, the speaker of parliament and the top of the judiciary should organize a election for a brand new president inside a most interval of fifty days.
Ebrahim Raisi was elected president in 2021 and, underneath the present timetable, presidential elections are on account of happen in 2025.
Footage even exhibits folks setting off fireworks, reportedly in response to information of the crash.
In the meantime, in Tehran, dozens have gathered in Valiasr Sq. to wish for his or her president.
Reviews declare riot police are gathering on the streets within the capital and the town of Rasht, with the suggestion they are going to be used to quell celebrations if Raisi’s demise is introduced within the morning.
Raisi secured a victory through the 2021 presidential election, which noticed the bottom turnout within the nation’s history.
Since taking workplace he has ordered a tightening of morality legal guidelines, overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed laborious in nuclear talks with world powers.
It comes weeks after Iran unleashed an unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on Jerusalem which was branded “a declaration of struggle” by Israel.
Greater than 300 drones and missiles had been launched at Israel by Iran and its proxy teams in Lebanon and Yemen – 99 per cent of which were intercepted, based on the Israeli navy.
Regardless of the tensions, footage reportedly exhibits members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Saberin Particular Forces making ready to enter a forested space as a part of the search.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is known to be amongst world leaders to supply help.
He’s reported to have ordered the deployment of two plane and 50 rescue personnel to Tabriz as a part of the search effort.
Former UK defence minister Tobias Ellwood advised Sky Information: “It does not bode nicely when it takes so lengthy to get in contact with what’s occurred.”
He added {that a} lack of knowledge from Iranian state media is regarding.
The Tory MP mentioned: “If the president was alive, it could verify it right away, but when he has died then they might be delaying any announcement to make sure contingency plans are in place.”
He added the potential demise of Riasi may imply there are “large geopolitical penalties for Iran”.