The search and rescue (SAR) operation of two Malaysian climbers who went missing while climbing Mount Damavand, Iran, has proceeded with the deploying of a helicopter that is able to fly up to an altitude of more than 3,000 metres above sea level.

Resul Sapar, 55, good friend of the missing climbers said the helicopter would be used to search for the two missing climbers around the mountain before landing at the eastern part to continue the search on land.

"The helicopter will carry the SAR team on board to identify the climbers by taking pictures from the air to be analysed.

READ: Two Malaysian hikers missing in Iran

"The SAR mission team is also divided into two groups to continue the search in the east and west side of the mountain," he told Bernama via an WhatsApp application on Friday.

Asked if there was an update on the climbers, Resul said so far there was still no development other than of the SAR team search efforts.

Two climbers, Syed Redzuan Syed Salim Shatri, 50 and Ramli Abd Majid, 44, were reported missing on the mountain since Sunday after being separated from other team members. - BERNAMA