Media: Pezeshkian’s plane makes emergency stop as tensions escalate in Iran

The aircraft carrying Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made an emergency landing in the northern city of Rasht while returning to Tehran from an official visit to Kyrgyzstan.

Pezeshkian was returning from Bishkek, where he had attended a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Iran’s Foreign Minister and Minister of Sport and Youth were also aboard the aircraft.

Iranian air defence systems were activated in eastern Tehran on the evening of September 1. Iranian media reported that Pezeshkian’s aircraft was subsequently diverted from its planned route and landed in Rasht.

Iranian state news agency described the stop as an unscheduled landing and said the brief stay provided an opportunity for the governor of Gilan Province to brief the president on measures to ensure the availability of essential goods for the population.

Israeli media, however, reported that the aircraft was forced to land in Rasht amid US strikes on Iran and the activation of air defence systems in Tehran. The circumstances surrounding the landing have not been independently verified.

The incident came after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces were conducting strikes against targets in Iran.

Iranian media also reported explosions near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as around Bandar Abbas, Jask and Sirik in Hormozgan Province.

Iran subsequently launched missile strikes against US military bases in the region.

By Vafa Guliyeva