In a devastating turn of events, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and several other senior officials, lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

The unfortunate incident occurred as President Raisi, FM Amir Abdollahian, and their accompanying delegation were returning from an inauguration ceremony for a dam along Iran’s border with the Republic of Azerbaijan. The helicopter crashed amidst challenging conditions, navigating through mountainous terrain and heavy fog in the Varzaqan region of East Azerbaijan province.

Among the casualties were also East Azarbaijan Province’s Governor Malek Rahmati and Mehdi Mousavi, the head of President Raisi’s guard team, who were aboard the ill-fated aircraft.

Following the crash, a large-scale search and rescue operation was initiated in the fog-shrouded mountain area of East Azerbaijan province. Despite the adverse weather conditions, search teams managed to locate the wreckage on Monday morning.

The loss of President Raisi and other esteemed officials has left the nation mourning, with condolences pouring in from both domestic and international quarters. The tragic incident marks a profound loss for Iran, with tributes flowing in for the departed leaders and expressions of solidarity for their families and loved ones.