How The World Reacts To Iran President's Helicopter Crash
Following the demise of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahina in a helicopter crash with other officials the condolence and support messages are pouring in from world leaders.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyef, who accompanied Raisi to inaugurate the joint Qiz Qalasi Dam at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan earlier on Sunday, expressed concern and announced Baku’s readiness to help Iran. “Today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran. Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation. As a neighbor, friend, and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed”, he said.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a message of condolence with the death of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and his accompanying staff, “I am shocked by the death of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and his accompanying staff as a result of the helicopter crash. On behalf of the government and the people of the Republic of Armenia, I convey to you my sincere condolences and words of consolation on the tragic death of my dear friend and colleague President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and their accompanying persons. I express my solidarity with the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, wishing strength and steadfastness at this difficult time”, Armenian PM said in an official release.
Turkey”s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was “profoundly saddened” at the news of the helicopter accident involving Iran”s President Ebrahim Raisi, and offered “all necessary support” to the search.
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationships will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif said that he had been anxiously following developments regarding the reported crash landing of President Raisi”s helicopter. “Pakistan had the pleasure of hosting President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on a historic visit, less than a month ago. They were good friends of Pakistan. 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”, announced Pakistan PM.
Iraq’s President Abdul Latif Rashid held a telephone conversation with Iran”s Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber. Iraq”s national security advisor Qassem al-Araji has expressed solidarity with Iran and a willingness to assist in the ongoing search and rescue operations for the missing Iranian president. Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani has affirmed Iraq”s readiness to collaborate and has instructed support for the search and rescue missions in Iran.
Top officials in Iraq’s Kurdistan region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani issued separate messages, expressing solidarity with the Iranian people and praying for the well-being of everyone on board the aircraft.
Saudi Arabia expressed grave concern as well, and announced its readiness to help Iran. “The government of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern what was circulated in the media regarding the helicopter carrying Iran’s President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi and an accompanying delegation. We reaffirm that Saudi Arabia stands by the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran in these difficult circumstances,” the Foreign Ministry said, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, expressed concern about the accident of the Iranian president”s helicopter and emphasized Cairo’s solidarity with Tehran.
China is deeply concerned over the “hard landing” of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. The spokesperson said that China is closely following the situation and will provide all necessary support and assistance for Iran”s rescue efforts.
In a statement, Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs wished health to Iranian President Raisi and his companions. The ministry also expressed sympathy with the government and people of Iran over this tragedy.
The Foreign Ministry of the United Arab Emirates announced, in a statement, that it is following with great concern the news about the crash of a copter carrying the Iranian president and his delegation. The ministry expressed Abu Dhabi’s full readiness to provide any support to Tehran in the search and rescue operations.
The United States and the European Union said that they are monitoring the situation and following reports about the air incident involving the Iranian president as well as foreign minister and other members of their team.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a message: “I am following the news to the helicopter of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation through the crisis unit and embassy in Tehran.”
What Palestine said on the Ebrahim Raisi”s death
Palestinian resistance movements, Islamic Jihad and Hamas, issued separate statements, expressing concern over news of the Iranian president’s copter crash.
The Palestinian group says it shares the “pain and sorrow” of the Iranian people after the death of Raisi and other officials, expressing “full solidarity” with Iran. Hamas added that the late Iranian officials have a history of “honourable stances” in support of the Palestinian people and resistance against Israel, including efforts to stop the ongoing war on Gaza. “We are confident that the Islamic Republic of Iran will overcome the implications of this great loss; the brotherly Iranian people have institutions that can deal with this severe crisis,” Hamas said in a statement.
The Islamic Jihad also express solidarity with the Iranian nation and said the resistance movement for the safety of the Iranian president and his companions.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a message that this movement is following the news of the crash of helicopter of the Iranian president with great concern.
