Iran’s state TV confirms president, FM’s deaths in helicopter crash
Iranian state-run television is reporting that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has died in a helicopter crash alongside foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
The pair were confirmed dead after the crash in a mountainous area in the province of East Azerbaijan, Press TV reported, without citing a source. The report follows similar reports from other Iranian media including the Mehr and Tasnim news agencies as well as the Reuters news agency.
No immediate cause was given for the crash, which took place amid foggy conditions on Sunday as the president was returning from a trip to neighbouring Azerbaijan to inaugurate a dam.
The governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province and the representative of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution to East Azarbaijan province as well as bodyguards were also on board, the state-run Irna news agency reported.
Hamas reacts
Hamas has issued a statement thanking Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian for their support in its war against Israel after their deaths yesterday. Reuters reports the group said:
“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. They also made significant political and diplomatic efforts to stop the Zionist aggression against our Palestinian people.”
Iraq’s prime minister offers ‘heartfelt condolences’
Shia al-Sudani is expressing solidarity with the Iranian people following Raisi’s death.
He said in a statement:
“With profound sadness and deep sorrow, we received the tragic news of the passing of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ibrahim Raisi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and their companions, due to the unfortunate plane crash incident in northern Iran.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, 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.”
Pakistan to observe day of mourning
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says his country will observe a day of mourning and the flag will fly at half-mast as a mark of respect for Raisi and his companions.
In a post on X, Sharif called Raisi and Amirabdollahian “good friends of Pakistan” and extended his “deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iranian nation on this terrible loss”.
“The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage,” he added.
