“We received the news about the forced landing of the helicopter carrying the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, with deep concern.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan is closely monitoring information about the fate of the helicopter passengers, including high-ranking Iranian representatives.

We sincerely hope that all passengers will soon be found safe and healthy.

The Uzbek side expresses its full readiness to provide assistance to our Iranian friends if necessary,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It should be recalled that on the eve of May 19, a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, returning from Azerbaijan, made a “hard landing”. Search operations are hampered by weather conditions and mountainous terrain.