Iranian state media reported on Monday that there were no survivors from the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and several senior officials. The helicopter went down in the mountainous region of Jolfa, located in the northwestern part of the country, on Sunday. This tragic incident occurred as Raisi and his entourage were returning from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan.

"Upon finding the helicopter, there was no sign of life from the passengers," state television announced, detailing that the aircraft was almost completely destroyed and burned. Rescue teams, enduring harsh weather conditions, found the wreckage in a steep valley amid dense fog and extreme cold.

Footage aired by state-run IRNA early on Monday showed the crash site scattered across a green mountain range, with soldiers confirming the discovery. The helicopter was carrying nine people, including President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, three Iranian officials (one of whom was Eastern Azerbaijan province Governor Malek Rahmati), an imam, and members of the flight and security teams.

Search operations continued through the night and into Monday morning. Turkish 'Akinci' drones, deployed to assist in the rescue efforts, identified a heat source suspected to be the helicopter wreckage in the area known as 'Tavil'. The coordinates were shared with Iranian authorities, leading rescue forces to the site.

Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the dispatch of special aircraft and 50 professional mountain rescuers to assist in the search. Two special Russian helicopters are also being sent from Armenia to support the operation.

In the wake of this tragedy, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber is next in line for the presidency, pending approval by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.