(Updated with new reactions)
May 20 (Reuters) – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-liner seen as a potential successor to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died in a helicopter crash on Sunday while he was returning from a trip near the border with Azerbaijan.
All passengers on the plane, including the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amirabdollahian, died in the accident.
Here are the main reactions to the news of their deaths:
CHARLES MICHEL, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, ON X:
“The EU expresses its sincere condolences following the death of President Raïssi and Foreign Minister Abdollahian, as well as other members of their delegation and crew in a helicopter accident. Our thoughts are with the families .”
SERGEY LAVROV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, IN A PRESS RELEASE:
Ebrahim Raïssi and Hossein Amirabdollahian were known to be “true, reliable friends of our country”.
“Their role in strengthening mutually beneficial Russian-Iranian cooperation and trust partnership is invaluable.”
“We extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as to all the Iranian people.”
YOSHIMASA HAYASHI, JAPANESE GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON:
Japan expresses its deepest condolences to the Iranian government and people for the death of President Raisi and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
MARYAM RADJAVI, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF IRANIAN RESISTANCE BASED IN PARIS, IN A PRESS RELEASE:
“The death of Ebrahim Raïssi, president of the mullahs’ regime, is a monumental and irreparable strategic blow to Khamenei and the entire regime of executions and massacres, with repercussions and crises from the top to the base of religious tyranny which will incite the insurgent youth to action.”
“The curse of the mothers of the martyrs and of those who demand justice for the victims of the executions, as well as the curse of the people and of History, marks Ebrahim Raïssi, the executioner of the 1988 massacre of political prisoners.”
ABDEL FATTAH AL SISSI, PRESIDENT OF EGYPT, IN A STATEMENT:
“The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt extends his sincere condolences and sympathy to the fraternal people of Iran, and prays that the deceased Iranian President and the deceased rest in the mercy of Almighty God, and grant their families patience and comfort (…)”
LEBANESE HEZBOLLAH, IN A PRESS RELEASE:
The Iran-backed group offered its condolences to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, religious authorities, Iran’s leaders and its people.
Hezbollah also praised the martyrs’ struggle, calling on God to bless them with mercy, protect Khamenei and grant Iran the ability to overcome the ordeal with patience and determination.
ABDALLAH II, KING OF JORDAN, ON X:
“My deepest condolences to the brothers, leaders, government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and those who accompanied them.”
“We stand in solidarity with our Iranian brothers in these difficult circumstances.”
MOHAMMED BEN RACHID, PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, IN A STATEMENT:
“We are with you wholeheartedly during this difficult time. We pray that God will cover them with his immense mercy and make them remain in his spacious Paradise.”
BACHAR AL ASSAD, PRESIDENT OF SYRIA, IN A STATEMENT:
The leader affirmed Syria’s solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the families of the deceased, adding that Ebrahim Raisi died as a martyr in the line of duty.
MOHAMMED CHIA AL-SOUDANI, IRAQI PRIME MINISTER, IN A STATEMENT:
“We extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, as well as to the Iranian nation, its government and its people. We express our solidarity with the Iranian people and the leaders of the Republic Islamic in this painful tragedy”.
SHEHBAZ SHARIF, PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER, ON X:
“The government and people of Pakistan extend their deepest condolences and sympathy to the Iranian nation on this terrible loss.”
“Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and the flag will be flown at half-mast as a sign of respect for President Raisi and his companions and solidarity with our Iranian brothers.”
NARENDRA MODI, INDIAN PRIME MINISTER, ON X:
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raïssi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between India and Iran will forever be remembered. I address my sincere condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sadness.
HAMAS, IN A PRESS RELEASE:
The Palestinian Islamist group conveyed in a statement its “deepest condolences and solidarity” with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Iranian government and the Iranian people for “this immense loss.”
He paid tribute to deceased Iranian leaders for their support of the Palestinian cause and resistance against Israel and expressed confidence that Iran’s “deep-rooted institutions” will enable it to overcome “the repercussions of this great loss.” .
NICOLÁS MADURO, PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA, ON X:
The head of state and his wife said they were “deeply saddened to have to say goodbye to an exemplary person (…) a defender of the sovereignty of his people and unconditional friend of our country”.
“From the Bolivarian lands, we express our most sincere condolences to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (…) We join in the pain of his family and of our Iranian brothers and sisters at this difficult moment.”
(Reuters, French version Kate Entringer)
©2024 Thomson Reuters, all rights reserved. Reuters content is the intellectual property of Thomson Reuters or its third party content providers. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. “Reuters” and the Reuters Logo are trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.