Iran President helicopter crash: State TV says aircraft found, contact made

Iranian State TV has reported that the helicopter that crashed while carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has been found.

However, Iran's Red Crescent denied this report.

The aircraft crashed on Sunday as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official told Reuters, earlier as rescuers were struggling to reach the site of the incident.

Iranian State TV also quoted an official as saying that at least one passenger and one crew member had been in contact with rescuers.

Iranian state media said bad weather was the cause of the crash and was complicating rescue efforts.

The chief of staff of Iran's army ordered all the resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guard to be put to use in search and rescue operations.

"It is dark and it has started raining, but the search continues. Rescue teams have reached the area ... however, the rain has created mud, making the search difficult," a local reporter told state TV.

The national broadcaster had earlier stopped all its regular programming to show prayers being held for Raisi across the country and, in a corner of the screen, live coverage of rescue teams deployed on foot in the mountainous area in heavy fog.

The rescue teams were expected to reach the probable site of the crash later on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power with a final say on foreign policy and Iran's nuclear programme, sought to reassure Iranians, saying there would be no disruption to state affairs.

Neighbouring countries expressed concern and offered assistance in any rescue. The White House said US President Joe Biden had been briefed on reports about the crash. The European Union offered emergency satellite mapping technology to help Iran with the search.

State news agency IRNA said Raisi was flying in a US-made Bell 212 helicopter.

The crash comes at a time of growing dissent within Iran over an array of political, social and economic crises. Iran's clerical rulers face international pressure over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme and its deepening military ties with Russia during the war in Ukraine.