White House ‘closely following reports’ on Iranian president’s helicopter crash

In a statement to CBS Chief Foreign Affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan, a State Department spokesperson said, "We are closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister. We have no further comment at this time."

On Sunday, Iranian state-run media revealed that a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minster Hossein made a "crash landing" while crossing mountainous terrain on its way back from the northwestern border with Azerbaijan.

One Iranian official said, "We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning."

Reports from the state-run media show that the weather and fog have made it hard for rescue crews to search for the helicopter. "It is dark and it has started raining, but the search continues," a local reporter said.

"Rescue teams have reached the area ... however, the rain has created mud, making the search difficult," they added.

In a statement, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for prayers, he said, "We hope that God returns the honourable president and his companions to the arms of the nation." He continued, "All must pray for the health of this group of civil servants. The Iranian nation must not be concerned or worried, there will be no disruption in the work of the country."