The United States expressed its condolences Monday for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and others who were killed in a helicopter crash.
“As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms,” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement.
The Iranian officials were returning from the Iran-Azerbaijan border when the helicopter went down Sunday. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said Monday that he was “deeply shocked by the heavy loss that befell the brotherly and friendly Islamic Republic of Iran and its people.”
Pakistan declared a day of mourning, and Lebanon three days of mourning, as governments extend condolences to Iran.
The U.N. secretary-general “expresses his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and to the Government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a Monday statement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Raisi as an “outstanding politician.”
“Raisi was an outstanding politician whose entire life was dedicated to serving his homeland,” Putin said. “As a true friend of Russia, he made an invaluable personal contribution to the development of good-neighborly relations between our countries.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping called Raisi’s death “tragic” and said “the Chinese people have lost a good friend,” a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry said.
In Photos: Iranian president killed in helicopter crash
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed solidarity with Iran, and said Syria worked with Raisi “to ensure that strategic relations between Syria and Iran flourish always.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi expressed Egypt’s solidarity with “the leadership and people of Iran in this great loss.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Raisi 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 social media.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was shocked by the development and that “India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani expressed “great sadness and great sorrow.”
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the UAE “stands in solidarity with Iran at this difficult time.”
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he was “deeply saddened” by Raisi’s death, calling him “an excellent human being, defender of the sovereignty of his people and unconditional friend of our country.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Raisi “exemplified a deep commitment to the welfare of his people and the dignity of his nation, which represents a proud and rich civilization rooted in the principles of Islam.”
NATO spokesperson Farah Daklallah sent the security alliance’s “condolences to the people of Iran.”
European Council President Charles Michel said the European Union “expresses its sincere condolences.”
“Our thoughts go to the families,” Michel said.
Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
