meanwhile, iranians have been urged to pray for their leader, gathering in droves in the president's home city, following pleas from state media. hello, i'm lukwesa burak. a major search operation is under way after a helicopter carrying iran's president and its foreign minister crashed in the northwest of the country in thick fog. president ibrahim raisi had been returning from a visit to the border with neighbouring azerbaijan. these are the two men missing after the crash, president raisi on the left, the country's foreign minister, hossein amirabdollahian

on the right. they'd both been on a trip to iran's border with azerbaijan. inaugurating a new dam project. right here. helicopter outside image still)we�*ve got an image of him on the ground at the site the one carrying the president and foreign minister crashed in mountainous territory in heavy inclement weather. all contact with that helicopter was then lost. a correspondent has this report. you can see how bad conditions

were in the area, as the rescue operation was under way. a fleet of ambulances on standby. the army is reported to have ordered all resources needed to be thrown at the search. members of iran's red crescent scoured the rugged landscape on foot for any sign of the missing helicopter, but poor visibility made it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the scene of the crash — even to locate it. translation: there are currently | three drone teams in the area but| due to the thick fog and low visibility, the drones were not able to successfully operate. there are also three teams with rescue dogs in the area. we are searching and we hope we'll be able to reach positive results very soon. the first indication that something had gone wrong came on state—run television. translation: there are unconfirmed reports of an incident _ involving the helicopter carrying the president. initial reports cite a hard landing for the helicopter

carrying the president. president raisi, seen here earlier with his counterpart from azerbaijan, is a hardliner. he had been involved in many negotiations including over the country's nuclear programme. regime supporters came out to pay for the president. these images broadcast on state—run tv although not everyone in iran is praying for his survival. the vision is not popular with many iranians who would like to see an end to the islamic republic. but from its most senior leader, a message of calm, of continuity. i hope that god will return the president and fellow travellers to the people. the iranian nation must not be worried and rest assured, there will be no disruption to the running of the country. late

there will be no disruption to the running of the country.— running of the country. late at niaht, running of the country. late at night. there — running of the country. late at night, there were _ running of the country. late at night, there were still - running of the country. late at night, there were still no - running of the country. late at| night, there were still no news running of the country. late at i night, there were still no news of the fate of the president and his foreign minister. several arab countries have offered assistance. turkey has sent a mountain rescue team and the eu will help with the satellite mapping service at the request of tehran. the world is watching closely what happens next in iran. these people in tehran gave their reaction to the crash. i hope they are fine and well and we get to enjoy the news of them being well. this news is unfortunate, but for the government and for the people. ii for the government and for the --eole. . , for the government and for the --eole. ., , , for the government and for the n-eole. ., , , ., people. if anything happens to him it will take time _ people. if anything happens to him it will take time to _ people. if anything happens to him it will take time to replace - people. if anything happens to him it will take time to replace him. - it will take time to replace him. and for— it will take time to replace him. and for the situation to settle down and, meanwhile, things will be chaotic— and, meanwhile, things will be chaotic and this is bad for everyone. i hope nothing bad happens _ everyone. i hope nothing bad happens. it everyone. i hope nothing bad ha ens. . , everyone. i hope nothing bad ha ens. ':: ::f everyone. i hope nothing bad hauens. ':: ::f ., everyone. i hope nothing bad hauens. '::::f ., happens. it was 100% an accident because it is _ happens. it was 100% an accident because it is a — happens. it was 100% an accident because it is a cold climate - happens. it was 100% an accident because it is a cold climate and i happens. it was 100% an accident because it is a cold climate and it| because it is a cold climate and it was very— because it is a cold climate and it was very foggy _

let's speak to bahman kalbasi, our bbc persian service correspondent. just listening to some of those iranians there. the acting from tehran. very matter—of—fact and then we see other images of some iranians praying, as asked by the state. find praying, as asked by the state. and man praying, as asked by the state. fific many celebrating. in praying, as asked by the state. e'"ic many celebrating. in fact, praying, as asked by the state. el"ic many celebrating. in fact, we just add images of people celebrating. very diverging views and ebrahim raisi is, based on the numbers by which he got elected, less than 30% of the eligible vote, was the most unpopular president in the last 45 years and his tenure was marked by protests, economic collapse, continued tension in the international relations so one can only imagine he was more presented

and many... there are going to be many different reactions to this, if he is indeed killed in this incident. he is indeed killed in this incident-— he is indeed killed in this incident. ~ ., ., , he is indeed killed in this incident. ., ., , ., incident. we having a couple of issues with _ incident. we having a couple of issues with your _ incident. we having a couple of issues with your line _ incident. we having a couple of issues with your line but - incident. we having a couple of issues with your line but let's l incident. we having a couple of i issues with your line but let'sjust issues with your line but let's just try one more time. questions also being asked about the options that are now on the table and the likely strategic next step that the supreme leader, like you said, he is the number—one chain of command in the country, not the president, what are the likely options could happen next, depending on the final outcome, of course. it next, depending on the final outcome, of course. if indeed ebrahim raisi _ outcome, of course. if indeed ebrahim raisi is _ outcome, of course. if indeed ebrahim raisi is out _ outcome, of course. if indeed ebrahim raisi is out of - outcome, of course. if indeed ebrahim raisi is out of the - outcome, of course. if indeed - ebrahim raisi is out of the picture, the constitution sets a very clear path and that is that his deputy will take over for 50 days and has to be a new election. of the supreme leader go with that? it is anybody�*s gas. leader go with that? it is anybody's as. �* , leader go with that? it is anybody's i as, " , , ., .,

gas. and they understand that parliament — gas. and they understand that parliament is _ gas. and they understand that parliament is also... - gas. and they understand that parliament is also... i - gas. and they understand that. parliament is also... i understand that parliament is also set to convene it this week. it is not particularly significant? could that be included in the chain of events? 0h be included in the chain of events? oh i be included in the chain of events? 0h ijust want be included in the chain of events? oh i just want to apologise. i be included in the chain of events? 0h ijust want to apologise. i think we lost our correspondence. we were struggling with that connection but, fortunately, lost him. just giving a little bit more context there. of course, you can follow all the latest developing points as they come in, 2a hours a day. there is a live page that is on the bbc news website. a lot of analysis as well that we have been covering and you will find on the website. earlier, i spoke east, the bbc�*s world service middle east editor and he took us through the main points of today. in through the main points of today. i"i terms of what we know, we are at a stage, this is five or six hours after the news first began to come

through and we haven't really moved forward that much, recently, in terms of the finding of the helicopter. but we have had and we've had this kind of thing before, is statements being made on state news, and other outlets and then being refuted so not long ago there was a statement quoting a member of the iranian red crescent which is leading the search. more than a0 teams have fanned out across the area where they believe the helicopter is and that quoted this member of the international red crescent as saying that the site had been found. now, that obviously come immediately, made people feel that real progress has been made. but that has now been taken back so we are in this kind of shadowy information so where things are being said and they are being said by authoritative outlets with iran

but we can't necessarily take them hundred percent at value because they contained and we are still very reliant on those sources. of course, rumours are swirling. there are many people who have been in contact with me and i'm sure with many other reporters who are engaged with this, quoting sources, but they have said this, that and the other. nothing, i think, which had gone 100% about what has happened. we still do not know the condition of the people who are on this helicopter. it took a long time to establish, several hours to establish that the helicopter had had a major incident. also, that come on board, is not just president ebrahim raisi by the foreign minister. that was then established. since then, it has been for the two tracks. 0ne established. since then, it has been for the two tracks. one is the rescue operation and where that goes put up huge difficulties because of the weather conditions with heavy fog and rain which certainly contributed to the crash on a on the other side, the state, iranian state essentially asking the people to do all they can in terms of prayers for

the safety, the safe return of president ebrahim raisi so you have been showing pictures from state to been showing pictures from state to be which rolling, on state television, of iranians out in holy cities giving prayers for exactly that and we've had again, been reporting, the supreme leader has made a statement, saying one, the same message, that people should come together in order to wish their very best and pray their very best for a good outcome. but also, and i think this is important, saying that whatever happens, it is not going to affect the running and security of the country. affect the running and security of the country-— the country. let's go back to the withholding _ the country. let's go back to the withholding of _ the country. let's go back to the withholding of information. - the country. let's go back to the withholding of information. so i the country. let's go back to the - withholding of information. so many points there. withholding information. holding it back. a previous guest said there is precedent when it comes to the iranian regime. teiiii

precedent when it comes to the iranian regime.— precedent when it comes to the iranian regime. tell us more about that. definitely, _ iranian regime. tell us more about that. definitely, to _ iranian regime. tell us more about that. definitely, to a _ iranian regime. tell us more about that. definitely, to a degree, - iranian regime. tell us more about that. definitely, to a degree, and i that. definitely, to a degree, and certainly in the past very much so when we saw that with the downing of the ukrainian airliner when that happened. they were all sorts of reports that are coming in at the time which were contradictory but which sounded like they were official and there was great control official and there was great control of the information that was given and the actual reality, what happened was not emerging for several days and that caused huge criticism of the way that was handled and there is no doubt there is been a response to that in the way the sorts of incidents have handled sense and we are seeing a slightly more open response to this in terms of information that comes out but what is difficult about it is it kind of comes out through these, i mean, there are a number of influential semi—official news agencies in iran that we are very much rely on to an extent to know what is going on and they don't speak always with exactly the same voice. they'll quote this official and that official and, quite often, those officials will be at odds with

what they is what has been happening and what we have not had, beyond what the ayatollah khamenei said, which was a more general call for people to wish well and ensure people to wish well and ensure people there is no security issue here, but we haven't had as a clear statement from the authorities of what they know as happened in black and white so that that is the ground zero from which you start in terms of where you now expect information to come. there have been sources saying that that was due within the coming hours. it doesn't happen so far and coming hours. it doesn't happen so farand again, the coming hours. it doesn't happen so far and again, the same sources who said that, said bill that back and said that, said bill that back and said that, said bill that back and said that is not necessarily going to happen so we are, as i say, we are finding ourway and to happen so we are, as i say, we are finding ourwayandi to happen so we are, as i say, we are finding our way and i think the international community leaders around the world, there is been a lot of sympathy, obviously, pouring in. offers of help appalling and especially from regional powers,

regional countries. but i think they are watching, just as closely, the same reports that we're watching from the and trying to get a steer of what is happening. iran's supreme leader, ayatollah khamenei has assured the country that there will be no disruption to state affairs. this was his public statement about the incident. 0urdear 0ur dear people. they were present here or those who would hear my message later be sure there will be no disruption in the work of the country. officials have been busy with their work since this evening, after hearing news of the incident. we have given them the necessary recommendations and the affairs of the country are proceeding regularly, better security of the country and the security of the borders as well as the rest of the work that should be done at the national level by the executive branch. people should not worry. god willing, the president will return

to the people and things will be donein to the people and things will be done in the best way.— done in the best way. well, president — done in the best way. well, president ebrahim - done in the best way. well, president ebrahim raisi - done in the best way. well, | president ebrahim raisi was returning from a meeting that he had been holding with the president of azerbaijan, inaugurating two dams. the president has been reacting following the news of the crash, saying that, today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the president, of the islamic republic of iran, ebrahim raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news about the copter carrying the top delegation crash landing in iran. our prayers to allah almighty are with president ebrahim raisi and the accompanying delegation. as a neighbour, friend, and brotherly country, the republic of azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed. turkey's president erdogan says he is deeply saddened by iran helicopter accident and is in full coordination with iran authorities.

he also said "i convey my best wishes to our neighbour, friend and brother iranian people and government, and i hope to receive good news from mr raisi and his delegation as soon friend and brother iranian people and government, and i hope to receive good news from mr raisi and his delegation as soon as possible," turkey has also sent mountain rescue team to iran. russia, that is one of iran's biggest allies, is ready to extend help in connection with the crash of a helicopter carrying thecountry�*s president. this is according to foreign ministry spokeswoman maria zakharova. she added that all necessary help could be extended in the search for the missing helicopter and the investigation of the reasons for the incident. let's speak to our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet.

hello to you. we have heard so much about president ebrahim raisi and the possible ramifications, if the worst news is announced. the foreign minister was also on board that helicopter. minister was also on board that helic0pter-_ minister was also on board that helicoter. ~ ., , ~ , minister was also on board that helicoter. ~ ., , ~ helicopter. who is he? well, it is a consequential— helicopter. who is he? well, it is a consequential moment _ helicopter. who is he? well, it is a consequential moment in - helicopter. who is he? well, it is a consequential moment in any - consequential moment in any country's history when there is this fraught moment when people are waiting for news to see what has been a fate, notjust for the president, but the foreign minister and the case of the foreign minister, he has been a senior official within the iranian foreign ministry for many decades. he rose to the top diplomat _ ministry for many decades. he rose to the top diplomat post _ ministry for many decades. he rose to the top diplomat post when - to the top diplomat post when ebrahim raisi came to power in the 2021 elections and he really has been one of the faces of the islamic republic where he travels the world,

trying to present iran's case, trying to present iran's case, trying to present iran's case, trying to find ways around iran's crippling sanctions, also, try to find ways to ease iran's diplomatic isolation that is very, very much the objective of iran's critics and enemies including many western powers. but enemies including many western owers. �* ., ., ., powers. but he also works within a s stem in powers. but he also works within a system in which _ powers. but he also works within a system in which he _ powers. but he also works within a system in which he has _ powers. but he also works within a system in which he has only - powers. but he also works within a system in which he has only very i powers. but he also works within a l system in which he has only very few levers of power. absolute authority rests in the supreme leader, ayatollah khamenei. and the main power when it comes to foreign power, although he does not have the final say, power, although he does not have the finalsay, is power, although he does not have the final say, is the islamic revolutionary guard corps and they have been holding growing survey over iran's foreign policy including in these last several months when iran was rocked by unprecedented tensions stemming from the devastating israel gaza war. he’s devastating israel gaza war. he's also done a _

devastating israel gaza war. he's also done a lot _ devastating israel gaza war. he's also done a lot of— devastating israel gaza war. he's also done a lot of work— devastating israel gaza war. he's also done a lot of work to try to push back on the sanctions that have been placed on iran, hasn't he? well, there is not that much you can do but he has tried to go to capitals, to strike trade deals with those countries which do not support the countries including china, including iran, including countries including iran, including countries in other parts of the world but the valley nuclear talks, after president trump pulled out of the landmark deal in 2018, it has been hanging by a thread and ebrahim raisi's administration was not able to get those talks going again, the indirect talks with the united states and those talks have stalled so this is very much tying the hands of iran. it is not around's only problem when it comes to the financial hardships that have deepened on ebrahim raisi's watch. there is also been chronic mismanagement as well as alleged corruption. how sensitive a point

are we at four iran? many people are saying that, though, it is the supreme leader who is at the top. he is number one. president ebrahim raisi was actually number two. terms of the international platform and the work that the foreign minister was doing, does the set things back? would it commit the worst news is announced, set things back to the country? announced, set things back to the count ? ., �* , , announced, set things back to the count ? ., �* , ., country? no. because they are not the main players _ country? no. because they are not the main players. it— country? no. because they are not the main players. it is— country? no. because they are not the main players. it is the - country? no. because they are not| the main players. it is the supreme leader who sets the policy. he has the final say. it is the islamic revolutionary guard corps which holds a prominent position in the foreign policy of the vine, region. in some ways, it is hard to say that ebrahim raisi was number two. he did take care of the day—to—day running of the islamic republic but he very much was his power was very much circumscribed and he came to power after a controversial election in

2021 which saw the lowest recorded turnout for a presidential election so his time in power has not been marked by any major new policy platforms by him and so his legacy is not going to be seen as a consequential one and, right now, for the islamic republic of iran, if the news is confirmed, they will want the conservatives, who have been strengthening their grip on power, across a wide range of institutions, and the islamic republic of iran, will want to send a very clear and convincing message of continuity, especially since not just at the financial hardships which are weighing down on the people of iran, there is also still the legacy of the unprecedented protests swept the country after the death in custody of 22—year—old. this protest certainly shocked the

islamic republic. they did not break them but, for now, what is really important for the islamic republic is continuity. important for the islamic republic is continuity-— is continuity. who does that... or does that concern _ is continuity. who does that... or does that concern more? - is continuity. who does that... or| does that concern more? because is continuity. who does that... or - does that concern more? because we had from the supreme leader saying, you know, arabians should not worry, do not be anxious. are they anxious or are they really, you know, that is the top echelons of power that are worried about what happens next, what could possibly happen next? i guess it suppose to it make depends where you sit politically in the islamic republic. the receptor may be people tonight inside iran, outside iran who will hope that, if it is confirmed that the lost his life in an accident, they hope they will hope this will be a weakening of the regime, this will create a new tension within the conservative

camp because, within the conservative camp, they are not all unified. there are hardliners and pragmatists and they may come into play, whether or not they'll come into the open is another question when iran moves to what will be its most immediate political challenge which is to organise presidential elections, obviously, we shall have to be held within 50 days and they come just months after the last parliamentary polls which saw a record low turnout so it will be a test of the unity and strength of the conservative camp. the critics will want to see a weakening. the pressure will be on the conservatives to make sure that they can hold the line and of course, behind all of this is the fact that the supreme leader, the ultimate arbiter is 85 years old. his own health has been a source of intense speculation for many years. there

has been growing discussion about who could possibly succeed him. ebrahim raisi was said to be one of the contenders though this is a very secretive processor now they will have two notjust in the open, choose a new president, but by the scenes think about who is in the same mould as ebrahim raisi, and conditionally loyal the supreme leader and to his hardline conservative policies, who could be considered when that moment comes in one of the positions, the other positions president ebrahim raisi holds now is that he is on the assembly of experts which is empowered to choose the new supreme leader when that moment comes. but, for now, this isjust, we have to wait to hear for confirmed for now, this isjust, we have to wait to hearfor confirmed news about what happened in that crash then, of course, the focus will be on the morning, the holding of a state funeral. as we heard earlier in the programme there are those who

will not hide their celebration but there are those in amongst his supporters who will mourn his passing and then the next task will be i think that the conservatives to move forward, to the next consolidation of their power. bud consolidation of their power. and 'ust ve consolidation of their power. and just very quickly _ consolidation of their power. and just very quickly and briefly before i let you go, what ramifications could this have for the middle east region? ii, could this have for the middle east reuion? ., . region? if, indeed, that crash was fatal. region? if, indeed, that crash was fatal- very — region? if, indeed, that crash was fatal. very difficult. _ region? if, indeed, that crash was fatal. very difficult. i _ region? if, indeed, that crash was fatal. very difficult. i do _ region? if, indeed, that crash was fatal. very difficult. i do not - fatal. very difficult. i do not think the death of ebrahim raisi, onceit think the death of ebrahim raisi, once it is confirmed, would disrupt policy in the islamic republic or shake the system in the islamic republic. shake the system in the islamic re - ublic. shake the system in the islamic reublic. . ~ shake the system in the islamic reublic. ., ,, , ., , shake the system in the islamic reublic. ., ~' , ., , . republic. ok. thank you very much indeed. thank— republic. ok. thank you very much indeed. thank you. _ republic. ok. thank you very much indeed. thank you. and _ republic. ok. thank you very much indeed. thank you. and you - republic. ok. thank you very much indeed. thank you. and you can - republic. ok. thank you very much i indeed. thank you. and you can read more on the bbc news website as well as other dispatches and reflections and reports as well from a number of our correspondence following and monitoring the story so just had to the bbc news website and you will

instantly see the live page there so the latest development is that the search and rescue teams continued to search and rescue teams continued to search for the third one of three helicopters that was part that we believe crashed in north—western iran in mountainous borough forested area put upon with the president of iran and also the foreign minister. still has not been located. good evening. it really has been a weekend of contrast. once again, we've had a few storms develop through the afternoon, fewer than we had yesterday, but 2a in the warm sunshine. and it should stay warm and dry to start for many of us. but it will turn cooler through the week as wetter and windy conditions arrive. and of course, it hasn't been warm sunshine for all we've had stubborn sea fog around the north sea coast, some of the irish sea coast as well.

so just a cool 12 today and then that sea fog mist and low cloud will return back inland as we go through the night. so some fog again around tomorrow morning, particularly across eastern areas. cooler, slightly fresher than it was last night. could be some fog further west as well. so all in all, i think quite a grey and misty start for many of us on our monday morning. once again, the fog and that low cloud retreats back to the coast and we should see less of it through monday than we've seen during the weekend. and the same goes for the irish sea coasts, but we could still have one or two showers, slow moving thunderstorms as we go through the afternoon, because once again, in that sunshine, temperatures will leap up to the high teens and low 20s. they're a little bit lower temperatures than they've been today, just because it'll be a chillier start for some of us. and then through monday evening and overnight, we'll probably pick up more mist and low cloud once again and perhaps a few more showers will come into eastern areas. and we've got this weather system

approaching to the west. so a slightly chillier night. again, look for some fives actually as we start tuesday morning. not really a frost level worry, but certainly chillier than it has been now. tuesday looks like a slightly more unsettled day, more showers around, if you like, particularly for the west, northern ireland, as that weather front comes in, those showers turn thundery and also central and northern areas or sorry, eastern and northern areas. that means that with a bit more cloud around, there might well be temperatures a little bit lower and one or two potentially around for the chelsea flower show. of course, that's coming up through this week, a little bit drier towards the end of the week. the reason for the unsettled weather tuesday night into wednesday's, this area of low pressure approaching for the east as well as weather fronts approaching from the west. all in all, it looks like it'll turn wetter and windier for the midweek period. so a rather unsettled looking picture by that stage. perhaps fewer showers friday and saturday, but still a rather unsettled looking picture with temperatures closer to average.

this is bbc news. the headlines: a helicopter carrying iran's president, ebrahim raisi, and the iranian foreign minister has been involved in an accident. state media is reporting, the helicopter, one of three travelling in a convoy, made a "hard landing" after it got into difficulties in heavy fog

and poor weather conditions. interior minister ahmad vahidi said rescuers were still trying to reach the site due to those difficult weather conditions. an unnamed iranian official has told the reuters news agency the lives of president raisi and the foreign minister are at risk. meanwhile, iranians have been urged to pray for the health of their leaders. they've been gathering in droves in the president's home city, following pleas from state media. iran's prime minister, ayatollah khamenei, has assured the country that there will be no disruption to state affairs. a major search operation is taking place in the mountains of north—west iran, where a helicopter reportedly carrying president ebrahim raisi and foreign minister hossein amirabdollahian has gone missing.