The search for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage has intensified after their helicopter crashed in a mountainous area near the border with Azerbaijan. According to a spokesperson from the international voluntary organization Red Crescent, three rescue workers are now reported missing.

The crash occurred on Sunday, May 19, as President Raisi, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials, were returning from inaugurating a dam in the region of East Azerbaijan. The helicopter went down in adverse weather conditions, which have continued to hamper rescue operations.

The BBC, citing the Red Crescent spokesperson, reported that search teams are nearing the suspected crash site but are encountering severe challenges due to worsening weather conditions. Rescue workers are particularly concerned about the cold intensifying with potential heavy rains, which could further slow down the already difficult rescue efforts.

An Iranian official has described the news from the accident site as "very worrying," adding to the anxiety felt across the nation. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other state officials have called on the Iranian people to pray for the president's safe return, urging the nation to remain hopeful despite the dire circumstances.

The rescue operation is facing significant obstacles, including thick fog and heavy rain, which have made it difficult for teams to navigate the terrain. The harsh weather has also raised concerns about the wellbeing of the missing rescue workers.

As the search continues, the Iranian public is left in a state of uncertainty and concern, anxiously awaiting updates on the fate of President Raisi and those involved in the crash.