Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi gestures during a meeting with Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro at the Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela June 12, 2023.(photo credit: REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo)
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Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and fly the flag at half-mast as a mark of respect for the Iranian President and his companions who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
Following the announcement of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi’s death by Iranian state-backed media and government officials, several world leaders and heads of terrorist organizations expressed condolences on Monday morning.
Iran-backed terrorist organization Hamas released a statement saying, “We express our shared feelings of grief and pain with the brotherly Iranian people” while expressing solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The terrorist organization called those killed “a group of the best Iranian leaders who had a long journey in Iran’s renaissance.”
They commended the leaders for supporting the Palestinian cause and resistance against Israel. They expressed confidence in Iran’s “deep-rooted institutions” that will enable it to overcome “the repercussions of this great loss.”
The head of Yemen’s Houthi’s Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, commented on Raisi’s death, saying, “Our deepest condolences to the Iranian people, the Iranian leadership, and the families of President Raisi and the accompanying delegation on their reported martyrdom.”
“We ask God to grant their families patience and solace. Verily, we belong to Allah, and to Him, we shall return. The Iranian people will remain adhering to the loyal leaders of their people, by God’s will,” he concluded.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei later expressed his condolences following the death of the Iranian President, Iran state media, reported.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani expressed “sincere condolences to the government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran” in response to Raisi’s death. He also mentioned Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian and the other officials in the helicopter at the time of the crash.
He added by asking “God Almighty for mercy and forgiveness for them and for their families with patience and solace. We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Monday morning that Raisi was a “valuable colleague and brother.”
“As a colleague who personally witnessed his efforts for the peace of the Iranian people and our region during his time in power, I remember Mr. Raisi with respect and gratitude,” Erdogan said on X, adding Turkey stood by Iran in this difficult time.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also expressed condolences Monday morning over the death of 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 mobilized all means to assist (rescue) efforts. Relevant institutions, including our Defense 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 Pakistan.
Indian, Pakistani and UAE leaders express condolences
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also commented on the Iranian President’s death, saying that he was “deeply saddened and shocked” to hear of the news. “His contribution to strengthening the India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered,” Modi said.
He then expressed condolences to Raisi’s family and the people of Iran. “India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” Modi concluded.
Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and fly the flag at half-mast as a mark of respect for the Iranian President and his companions who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a post on social media platform X on Monday, extended his deepest condolences to “Brotherly Iran” on behalf of himself and the Pakistani people and government.
“The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage,” Sharif said.
Lebanon announced on Monday three days of national mourning for the late Iranian president.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, president of the United Arab Emirates, said on X, “I extend my deepest condolences to the Iranian government and people over the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and those accompanying them following a tragic 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,” bin Zayed concluded.
Russia, China express condolences
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameinei over Ebrahim Raisi’s death on Monday, saying that he had been a “true friend” to Russia. He later invited the Iranian ambassador in Moscow for a conversation.
“Please accept my deep condolences in connection with the great tragedy that befell the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Putin told Khamenei in a message, the Kremlin said.
“Seyed Ebrahim Raisi was an outstanding politician whose entire life was devoted to serving the Motherland,” Putin said his telegram.
“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 bring them to the level of strategic partnership.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also expressed condolences over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, hailing him as a true patriot of the Islamic Republic and a reliable friend of Russia.
“In Russia, the President of Iran, E. Raisi, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, H. Amir-Abdollahian, were known as true, reliable friends of our country,” Lavrov said.
“Their role in strengthening mutually beneficial Russian-Iranian cooperation and trusting partnership is invaluable,” – he said. “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.”
China’s President Xi Jinping has expressed condolences over Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s death, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday.
