Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi looks on during a press conference concluding his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023.
Shannon Stapleton | Reuters A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board "crashed upon landing" on Sunday, state media reported, with weather conditions complicating rescue efforts. While Raisi's condition is unclear, state news agency IRNA said Raisi was traveling to Iran's East Azerbaijan province — in the northwest of the country, some 375 miles from the capital of Tehran — where he was inaugurating a dam. "President Raisi was returning from a ceremony to open a dam on Iran's border with Azerbaijan when his helicopter crashed upon landing in Varzaqan region," it said.
Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, was also traveling in the helicopter, along with East Azerbaijan's governor, Malik Rahmati, and Raisi's security detail, it said. State TV IRIB said the helicopter belonged to the Iranian Red Crescent, which Iran's interior minister Ahmad Vahidi said was part of a convoy. Their condition remains unknown.
More from NBC News: Container ship that struck Baltimore bridge will be removed from the site 'within days,' Maryland governor says Israel's Netanyahu faces growing pressure over Gaza plan from his own war Cabinet China promises 'friendship' as two warships dock in Cambodia At least 20 rescue teams have been deployed, but harsh weather conditions and heavy fog were ma.