Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan received with deep concern the news of the forced landing of a helicopter carrying the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, the ministry said in a post on its Telegram-channel.

The Foreign Ministry statement notes that the Uzbek side is closely monitoring information about the fate of the passengers, among whom were high-ranking Iranian representatives.

“We sincerely hope that all passengers will soon be found safe and healthy,” the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said.

The Uzbek side also expressed full readiness to provide the necessary assistance to Iranian friends if necessary.

On 18 May, a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed in the north-west of the country, Iranian media reported.

According to preliminary data, the helicopter made a hard landing in the city of Julfa in the Iranian province of East Azerbaijan.