Search teams reported Monday that they found no signs of life after locating the wreckage of a helicopter that crashed while carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials in Iran’s northwest. State media confirmed the crash occurred Sunday near Varzaqan in East Azerbaijan province due to poor weather conditions.

The helicopter was transporting President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and two other officials back to Iran from an event near the Azerbaijan border. They had been meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to inaugurate the Khoda Afarin and Giz Galasi hydroelectric power plants along the Aras River, which borders the two countries.

Iranian media reported that the crashed helicopter was one of three in the convoy returning from the event. Aliyev expressed his concern on social media, offering prayers and support to Iran as a "friend and brotherly country."

Footage broadcasted by Iranian state TV showed rescuers navigating through darkness and rain in the mountainous terrain to locate the crash site. There were no immediate reports on the conditions of Raisi, Amirabdollahian, or the other officials.

European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič stated on social media that the EU had activated its Copernicus Emergency Management Service to assist Iran with satellite mapping technology for the search efforts.

According to Iran's constitution, if the president dies or is incapacitated, the first vice president, currently Mohammad Mokhber, would assume the role until a new election is held within 50 days. The president's role, however, remains subordinate to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who retains ultimate authority over the country.

Raisi, a staunch conservative and protege of Khamenei, was elected president in 2021 amidst a contentious election with low voter turnout and barred rivals. His potential demise has sparked varied reactions within Iran. Opponents of Iran's government celebrated with fireworks, while supporters gathered to pray for his safe return.

Supreme Leader Khamenei sought to reassure the public, stating through the state news agency IRNA, "The Iranian nation shouldn’t be worried. There will be no disruption to the operations of the country." Vice President Mokhber was shown leading an emergency cabinet session addressing the crash.

Speculation about Raisi's fate has led to conjectures from observers. Reza Talebi, an independent Iranian journalist, suggested that Iran's leaders might declare Raisi a martyr if foul play by external enemies such as Israel or the United States were suspected, though no evidence currently supports this.

The U.S. State Department has acknowledged the reports of the crash but has not provided further comments.

Contributions to this report were made by Payam Yazdian, Farhad Poulavi, and Masood Farahmand from VOA’s Persian Service, and Asgar Asgarov from VOA’s Azerbaijani Service.