ISTANBUL

Russia said Sunday that it is ready to provide any assistance needed in investigating the cause of a helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova issued a statement on X on the crash involving Raisi and his delegation, which included Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Zakharova said they are closely monitoring information about the fate of those on board the helicopter and hope they are alive.

"Russia is ready to provide all necessary assistance in the search for the missing helicopter and the investigation of the causes of the incident," she said.

The helicopter carrying Raisi reportedly made a hard landing due to bad weather while returning from an inauguration ceremony for a dam on the Azerbaijan border.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society previously announced that the "crash" occurred between Kaleybar and Varzaqan.

Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi emphasized that rescue teams had not yet reached the area.

East Azerbaijan Deputy Governor Jabbarali Zakiri said that two of the three helicopters in Raisi's convoy had landed while one had crashed.