President Sends Prayers for Safe Return of Missing Iranian President

President Raisi, along with key officials including Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Governor Malik Ramati, and Ayatollah Aal Hasim of the Jummah Mosque in Tabriz, were on board the helicopter. The incident occurred as they were traveling back to Tehran following a ceremony in East Azerbaijan.

President Muizzu expressed his concern and extended best wishes for the ongoing search and rescue operations in a post on X. He expressed sadness over the incident and hoped for the swift and safe recovery of the missing delegation.

Iranian media reports that temporary communication was established when a delegation member made a phone call, stating they had to make a "hard landing" due to adverse weather conditions. State TV initially reported the helicopter had landed in Jolfa, East Azerbaijan, but later corrected the location to near Uzi.

The Chief of East Azerbaijan's weather authority, Habib Abdulla, warned of heavy rain and strong winds in the area, complicating search and rescue efforts, which have been temporarily suspended due to worsening weather conditions.