Iranians pray together for President Raeisi after helicopter accident

People in Iran and Iranians in other parts of the world have gathered to pray for the well-being of President Ebrahim Raeisi after a helicopter carrying him and other senior Iranian officials disappeared in the mountains of northwestern Iran.

Prayer vigils were held at mosques and shrines across the country, and thousands of people also gathered in the holy city of Mashhad, the birthplace of President Raeisi.

At the Imam Reza shrine, where President Raeisi served as custodian for three years starting in 2016, crowds prayed for his safe return.

In Valiasr Square in central Tehran, a large gathering of believers prayed and kept up with the latest news on their mobile phones.

Similar prayer meetings were held at the Abdul Azim Shrine in Shahr-e Rey in southern Tehran and at the Masuma Shrine in the holy city of Qom.

Christian churches in Tehran and other cities also encouraged their congregations to pray for President Raeisi, demonstrating unified support.

In addition, Iranian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and the Iraqi holy city of Karbala took part in mass prayers for his safe discovery.

President Raeisi disappeared on Sunday along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials in a foggy mountainous region in East Azerbaijan province, triggering extensive search and rescue operations in the difficult terrain.

Adverse weather conditions posed challenges to helicopter communications and ongoing search efforts.

Statements of solidarity, concern and offers of assistance were sent from neighboring regional powers, including Turkey and Russia.

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