New Delhi| WTNS | May 20:World leaders have extended condolences to the Iranian government and nation over the martyrdom of President Ebrahim Raeisi in a helicopter crash in the country’s northwest.
Raeisi died alongside his accompanying delegation, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Representative of Supreme Leader and Governor of Azerbaijan Iran after their chopper crashed in the Dizmar forest in East Azarbaijan Province on Sunday.
Following an hours-long search hampered by poor weather conditions, rescuers found the burnt-out wreckage of the helicopter and its passengers were confirmed dead.
Irreplaceable Loss
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Raeisi as an “outstanding politician” and said his death was an “irreplaceable loss.”
“Raeisi was an outstanding politician whose entire life was dedicated to serving his homeland,” Putin said in a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei.
“As a true friend of Russia, he made an invaluable personal contribution to the development of good-neighborly relations between our countries, and made great efforts to take them to the level of a strategic partnership.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Iranian president and top diplomat had been “true and reliable friends” of Moscow.
He further described the pair as “patriots… who firmly defended the interests of their state and gave their lives in selfless service to the Motherland.”
China lost a Good Friend
China’s President Xi Jinping paid tribute to President Raeisi, saying the “tragic death” of his Iranian counterpart is “a great loss to the Iranian people.”
“President Xi Jinping pointed out… the Chinese people have lost a good friend,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference.
Xi sent “sincere condolences” to Iran’s first vice president, the spokesman added.
Wang said China had also expressed “deep sorrow” at the death of Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Xi said that “President Raeisi has made important contributions to maintaining Iran’s security and stability, promoting national development and prosperity, and also made active efforts to consolidate and develop the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership”.
China would offer “all necessary support and assistance” and “continue to support the Iranian government and people in safeguarding their independence, stability and development”, Wang said.
‘Deeply Saddened and Shocked’
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said he was “deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise” of the Iranian president.
“My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran,” he added. “India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” he said in social media post on Monday.
India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also posted on X that he was “deeply shocked to hear of the passing away” of President Raeisi and his own counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
“Our condolences to their families,” he said. “We stand with the people of Iran at time of this tragedy.”
Releasing an official announcement, the Ministry of Home Affairs wrote, “H.E. Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and H.E. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran have passed away in a helicopter crash. As a mark of respect to the departed souls, the Government of India has declared a one day’s state mourning on May 21, 2024 (Tuesday) throughout the country.”
“On the day of mourning, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings where the National Flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on the day,” the MHA statement said.
Terrible Loss
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared a day of mourning “as a mark of respect for President Raeisi and his companions and in solidarity with Brotherly Iran.”
“Pakistan had the pleasure of hosting President Raeisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on a historic visit, less than a month ago. They were good friends of Pakistan,” he wrote on X.
“I along with the government and people of Pakistan extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iranian nation on this terrible loss. May the martyred souls rest in heavenly peace. The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage.”
Counterpart and Brother
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Raeisi as his “counterpart and brother.”
“I remember Mr. Raeisi with respect and gratitude” as a person who “worked for peace of Iranian people and for our region during his tenure,” he added.
Outstanding World Leader
Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he was shocked by the tragic demise of President Raeisi.
He described the Iranian chief executive as “an exemplary person, an outstanding world leader,” as well as a “protector of the sovereignty of his people and an unconditional friend” of Venezuela.
One Day National Mourning in Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani also offered deepest condolences and sympathy to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, along with the Iranian government and people, over the incident and wished divine mercy for the martyrs.
“With great sorrow and profound sadness, we received the news of the tragic helicopter crash in northern Iran that claimed the lives of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raeisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and their companions,” he said in a statement.
Iraq declared one day on national mourning over the Iranian president’s martyrdom.
President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Nechirvan Barzani said, “The passing of President Raeisi is an immense tragedy and a profound loss for the Islamic Republic of Iran, its people, and its friends.”
“Nevertheless, we have faith that the noble people of Iran and the Islamic Republic will overcome this immense loss.”
Great Loss for Muslim Ummah
In Yemen, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of Supreme Revolutionary Committee, expressed his “deepest condolences” to the Iranian people and the families of the officials who died in the crash.
Mohammed Abdulsalam, spokesman for Yemen’s Ansarullah, also stressed that the demise of President Raeisi “is not only a loss for Iran but also a loss for the Muslim world, especially for Palestine and Gaza.”
Staunch Supporter of Oppressed Nations
Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement also described the Iranian president as a “big brother” to the Lebanese resistance movement, and a staunch supporter of its cause, saying he had defended resistance groups and their fighters.
Similarly, it added, Amir-Abdollahian was a lover of resistance movements and dedicated to their support.
EU condoles
Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said in a social media post that, “The EU expresses its sincere condolences for the death of President Raeisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, as well as other members of their delegation and crew in a helicopter accident. Our thoughts go to the families.”
In solidarity with Iran
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said his country “stands in solidarity with Iran at this difficult time.”
“I extend my deepest condolences to the Iranian government and people over the passing of President Ebrahim Raeisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and those accompanying them following a tragic accident,” he said in an X post.
“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.”
“Our hearts are with you in this difficult time,” Sheikh Mohammed said on X
Painful Incident
In another statement on X, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani extended his “sincere condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran” on the painful incident.
Sincere Condolences and Sympathy
In two separate messages sent to Iran’s interim president Mohammad Mokhber, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered condolences over the death of President Raeisi and his companions.
King Salman sent a message of condolences to Iran’s interim President Mohammad Mokhber.
“We learnt of the news of the death of His Excellency Dr Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic republic of Iran, and his companions – may God have mercy on them – and we send you and the brotherly people of the Islamic republic of Iran our deepest and sincere condolences,” King Salman said, as reported by Saudi state media.
A Martyr for the sake of duty.”
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said his Iranian counterpart’s “dedication to his career” made him “a martyr for the sake of duty.”
President Bashar al-Assad offered his heartfelt condolences, in his name and in the name of the Syrian Arab people, to Ayatollah Imam Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Iranian Islamic Revolution, and to the friendly Iranian government and people on the demise of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and their companions.
In his message, President Al-Assad affirmed Syria’s solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran and with families of the late deceased and his comrades, expressing deep regret and condolences for this painful incident and the great loss resulted from it.
“President Raisi’s dedication to his career and performance of his responsibilities brought him to East Azerbaijan Province to inaugurate a vital project for his country, making him a martyr for the sake of duty,” President al-Assad said in the cable.
The President added “We worked with the late President to ensure that the strategic relations between Syria and Iran remains always prosperous, and we will always remember his visit to Syria as an important milestone in this path, and all the visions and ideas that he presented to enrich relations with everything that benefits the Syrian and Iranian peoples.”
Great Sadness
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expressed “great sadness and grief” over the tragedy, voicing Cairo’s “solidarity with the leadership and people of Iran in this terrible loss”.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also said Raeisi “exemplified a deep commitment to the welfare of his people and the dignity of his nation, which represents a proud and rich civilization rooted in the principles of Islam.”
Also in a statement released on social media, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said “the Iranian people lost a prominent statesman who served his country with dedication and loyalty all his life.”
“On this sorrowful day, I pray to Almighty Allah to grant patience and fortitude to the friendly and brotherly people of Iran,” he added.
Armenia Stands with Iran
Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of Armenia, wrote a message of condolences on his page on the X and sympathized with the Iranian government and the kind Iranian nation over the martyrdom of President Raisi and a number of his cabinet members including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.
In a related development, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan condoled with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei over the sad event, saying Armenia stands by the people of its good, brotherly, and friendly country of Iran during these difficult days.
Great Supporter of Palestine
Hamas mourned Mr Raisi as an “honourable supporter” of the Palestinian cause. The Palestinian armed group said it appreciated the late President’s “support for the Palestinian resistance, and tireless efforts in solidarity” since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7.
“These leaders supported the legitimate struggle of our people against the Zionist entity, provided valued support to the Palestinian resistance, and made tireless efforts in solidarity and support in all forums and fields for our people in the steadfast Gaza Strip during the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood,”
“They also made significant political and diplomatic efforts to stop the Zionist aggression against our Palestinian people,” said Hamas in a statement.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas extended “sincere condolences and sympathy to the brotherly Iranian people” on the death of President Raeisi and his compa
