- Russian FM remembers President Raisi as “reliable friend of Russia”.
- PM Modi hails Iranian president for strengthening bilateral relations.
- UAE president express solidarity with people of Iran in difficult time.
World leaders have conveyed condolences to the people of Iran after the Iranian government confirmed the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials in a helicopter crash.
President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian and other high officials were returning after attending an inauguration ceremony of a dam on Iran’s border with the Republic of Azerbaijan when the chopper crashed while flying through a mountainous terrain amid heavy fog in the Varzaqan region of the country’s East Azerbaijan province on Sunday afternoon.
Iran’s Vice President Mohsen Mansouri Monday confirmed Raisi’s death in a statement on social media and on state television.
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), East Azarbaijan Province’s Governor Malek Rahmati, and Mehdi Mousavi, the head of Raisi’s guard team were on board the crashed aircraft as well.
A large-scale search and rescue operation in the fog-shrouded mountain area of East Azerbaijan province was launched and the search teams located the wreckage on Monday morning.Â
Reacting to the fatal accident, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamin Bin Hamad Al Thani said: “Sincere condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the death of President Raisi, FM Abdullahian, and the accompanying officials in the painful helicopter accident”.
Iraq’s Prime Minister also expressed profound sadness and deep sorrow over the tragic accident.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and to the nation of Iran, its government and people. We express our solidarity with the brotherly Iranian people and the officials of the Islamic Republic during this painful tragedy,” the statement added.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed condolences over the death of Iranian President Raisi, hailing him as a reliable friend of Russia.
“We sincerely extend our condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as to the entire friendly people of Iran. Our thoughts and hearts are with you in this sad hour.”
Expressing shock and sadness on the tragic demise of President Raisi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.”
Furthermore, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Abu Dhabi’s ruler Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan “extended deepest condolences to the Iranian government and people,” over the fatal accident.
“We pray that God grants them eternal rest and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to their families. The UAE stands in solidarity with Iran at this difficult time,” he said in a statement on X.
Conveying sincere sympathy with the Iranian people, UAE’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum reaffirmed the gulf country’s support to Tehran.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a day of mourning to honour the deaths of President Raisi and other Iranian officials.
“Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and the flag will fly at half mast as a mark of respect for President Raisi and his companions and in solidarity with Brotherly Iran,” PM Shehbaz said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
“I along with the government and people of Pakistan extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iranian nation on this terrible loss,” the premier said while praying for the martyred souls.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed condolences on Monday over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.
“From the first moment we heard of the accident, we have been in contact with the Iranian authorities and mobilised all means to assist [in rescue] efforts. Relevant institutions including our Defence Ministry and AFAD disaster authority did their best but unfortunately we weren’t able to hear good news,” Fidan told a joint news conference on Monday with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Islamabad.
