Iran's President's Helicopter Crashed in East Azerbaijan Province, Contrary to Misleading CNN Tweet

Misbar investigated the viral claim and found it to be misleading.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter did not crash in the Azerbaijan State. The accident occurred in Iran's East Azerbaijan province.

The Helicopter Crash Site Is in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province

Contrary to a misleading CNN tweet, the accident occurred in Iran's East Azerbaijan province.

According to multiple international and local Iranian sources, the Iranian president was traveling in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province when the helicopter incident occurred near Jolfa, a city on the border with Azerbaijan. 

Earlier on Sunday, the president had been in Azerbaijan to inaugurate a dam with the country’s president, Ilham Aliyev. This dam is the third one the two nations have built on the Aras River.

According to the Guardian, the President was traveling in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province when the helicopter came down in bad weather.

Reuters also released several photos showing the rescue operation, stating in the caption that the photos were taken in Varzaqan, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, on May 19, 2024.

2024 Iran President Helicopter Crash

A rescue operation is ongoing in the mountainous region near the Iranian-Azerbaijani border after a helicopter carrying Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi made a "hard landing" on Sunday, according to Iranian state media. 

State TV reported that the helicopter had been located, but Iran’s Red Crescent denied this, stating that the location remains unknown.

The incident involved one of three helicopters in the convoy and was described as an accident by state television. 

An unnamed Iranian official told Reuters that the lives of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were "at risk" due to the crash in heavy fog. Despite occasional contact with a passenger and a crew member, there have been no further updates on their condition.

Three rescue workers initially reported missing were later found, but the search and rescue operation is expected to slow due to the impending severe cold and rain. 

Iran’s army chief of staff, Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, has mobilized all army resources for the search and rescue efforts, with guards also participating. Neighboring countries, including Iraq, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, have offered support.

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