- Helicopter crash kills Iranian President Raisi, sparking global condolences
- Supreme Leader Khamenei faces appointing new leadership amid regional tensions
- Israel denies involvement; international leaders express solidarity with Iran
The helicopter accident that claimed the life of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has prompted condolences from world leaders.
Sunday afternoon, rescue teams commenced an investigation into the whereabouts of Raisi, alongside nine other officials (including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian), whose aircraft vanished in the mountainous northwestern region of Iran, close to the Azerbaijan border.
Monday morning saw the recovery of the AWOL helicopter by relief personnel. According to State Television, the remains of the president and the other passengers on board have been identified.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, will be confronted with the challenge of appointing a new leadership for the country as Tehran attempts to manage escalated tensions in the Middle East and the potential for direct hostilities with Israel.
After Israel’s military intervention against Hamas in Gaza, Iran-backed groups, including the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, have engaged in minor hostilities. Israel and Iran exchanged direct strikes against one another last month.
Following the confirmation of Raisi’s demise, an Israeli representative responded to the Reuters news agency by stating that Israel had not been implicated.
It wasn’t us,” the unidentified official proclaimed.
Additional international responses to the president’s demise include the following:
The Hamas
For “this immense loss,” the Palestinian organization expressed its “deepest condolences and solidarity with Khamenei, the Iranian government, and the Iranian people.”
It conveyed confidence that Iran’s “deep-rooted institutions” would surmount “the repercussions of this great loss” and commended Raisi and Amirabollahian for their support of Palestine against Israel.
The Yemeni Houthis
The president of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee of the Houthi, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, extended his “deepest condolences” to the Iranian people and the families of the officials killed in the crash.
Al-Houthi further expressed his conviction that Iran would persist in “fearlessly supporting the leaders of their nation, by the grace of God.”
Iraq
“In this tragic hour, we extend our deepest condolences to the comradely Iranian people and the officials of the Islamic Republic,” said Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani in a statement.
Pakistan
In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif proclaimed a day of mourning.
“Perish the souls of the martyrs in eternal peace.” Sharif penned on X, “The great Iranian nation will triumph over this tragedy with its customary bravery.”
Qatar
Emirate Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani extended his deepest condolences to the Iranian people.
“With patience and consolation, praying the Almighty God for mercy and forgiveness on behalf of [those slain] and their families. “We are Allah’s, and we shall return to Him,” he wrote on X.
Russia
Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, extended condolences on the passing of two high-ranking officials whom he described as “reliable allies” of Russia.
Their contribution to bolstering a trustworthy partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Iran is priceless,” Lavrov stated.
“Our deepest condolences are extended to the bereaved families and friends of the victims, in addition to the entire benevolent populace of Iran.” “During this hour of sorrow, our hearts and thoughts are with you.”
Vladimir Putin, like Lavrov, extended condolences to Tehran.
“Raisi was an exceptional statesman who devoted his entire life to serving his country,” Putin wrote in a letter to Khamenei that was made public on the Kremlin website.
He further stated, “As an ardent ally of Russia, he contributed significantly to the advancement of amicable relations between our nations and exerted considerable effort to elevate them to the status of a strategic alliance.
The India
Raishi’s demise “deeply saddened and shocked” Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“His assistance bolstering the bilateral relationship between India and Iran will perpetually be commemorated.” Sincere condolences are extended to his family and the Iranian people. “During this period of sorrow, India stands with Iran,” Modi wrote on X.
The Chinese
According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Xi Jinping described Raisi’s “tragic death” as “a great loss to the Iranian people, and the Chinese people have lost a dear friend.”
Malaysia
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said it was an “honor” to meet Raisi last November and that he was “deeply saddened” by the news.
“I was truly inspired by his commitment to justice, peace, and the betterment of the ummah [the Islamic community].” Our collective dedication was to strengthen the ties between Malaysia and Iran to advance the interests of our respective nations and the Muslim world. “We shall honor our commitment,” Ibrahim declared.
Turkey
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan conveyed condolences and reported that Ankara had communicated with Iran since Sunday, when it learned of the incident.
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He stated that despite the “best efforts” of Turkey’s pertinent institutions, such as the defense ministry and the disaster management authority, “no positive developments could be obtained.” He spoke alongside his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, at a joint news conference in Islamabad.
The European Union
Charles Michel, president of the European Council, conveyed the “sincere condolences” of the organization regarding the crash-related fatalities of Iranian officials Raisi, Amirabollahian, and others.
