A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi yencountered a “hard landing” on Sunday.

According to report, the incident took place near Jolfa, a city situated on the border with Azerbaijan, within Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran.

However, details regarding the incident were not disclosed.

The Associated Press noted uncertainty regarding whether  bh   Raisi was onboard the helicopter during the incident.

Despite rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind, have hindered access to the site, according to state TV.

Before the helicopter incident, President Ebrahim Raisi had been in Azerbaijan on Sunday to participate in the inauguration of a dam alongside Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.

This dam marks the third joint construction project between the two nations on the Aras River.

Despite Iran’s diverse helicopter fleet, obtaining parts is hindered by international sanctions, with much of its military air fleet dating back to pre-1979 Islamic Revolution era.

Raisi, aged 63, is known for his hard-line stance and previously served as the country’s judiciary leader.

Considered a protégé of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, some analysts speculate that Raisi could succeed the 85-year-old leader in the event of his resignation or demise.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.

According to him, the plot, involving both foreigners and Congolese citizens, unfolded in the early hours outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the Gombe district, close to the president’s offices at the Palais de la Nation.

General Sylvain Ekenge announced on national television that the defence and security forces had successfully thwarted the coup attempt.

He said “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces. The foreigners and Congolese…including their leader” would “all no longer cause any harm”.

Shots were heard near the Palais de la Nation during the attempted coup, as confirmed by various sources.

General Ekenge didn’t elaborate further on the incident, and AFP’s attempts to get additional information from official sources remain unanswered.

However by late morning, the city appeared calm.

Early social media reports suggested an armed attack on Kamerhe’s residence, with some assailants heading towards the Palais de la Nation.

“This morning, there was an armed attack at the residence of the economy minister,” wrote Japan’s ambassador Hidetoshi Ogawa on X.

He stated that Kamerhe “was not harmed, but two policemen and an assailant were killed according to sources.”

France’s ambassador reported hearing automatic weapons fire in the area and advised French nationals to steer clear of the location.

Videos circulating on social media depicted individuals in military attire at the Palais de la Nation, waving flags of Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the regime of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was ousted in 1997.

Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, was shot in a gun attack on Wednesday afternoon in Handlova, Slovakia.

He sustained injuries to his head and chest and was airlifted to the nearest hospital for medical attention.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack on social media platform X, emphasizing its undemocratic nature.

She expressed sympathy for Fico and his family.

The Slovak Prime Minister is expected to make a statement regarding the assassination attempt shortly.

More to follow……