Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister, and eight others were found dead on Monday after their helicopter crashed in a foggy, mountainous region of East Azerbaijan province, state media reported. Raisi, 63, was the second most powerful individual in the Islamic Republic's political structure after the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
Verses from the Quran were shared on President Raisi's official account after his death. "Peace be upon Abraham. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, he was of Our believing servants," the post read.
Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume powers of the presidency, according to the Iranian Constitution. The country will hold an election within 50 days to replace Raisi. Iran has announced five days of mourning following the death of the President.
Tributes and condolences are pouring in from regional and international leaders. Several countries in the Middle East also expressed support to Iran and offered help to locate the helicopter, which was missing for hours after the crash.
The following are reactions to the news:
PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI: “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 relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.”
PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER SHEHBAZ SHARIF: “Had been anxiously following developments regarding the reported crash landing of President Raisi's helicopter. Was hoping for good news. Alas, this was not to be. I along with the government and people of Pakistan extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iranian nation on this terrible loss. May the martyred souls rest in heavenly peace. The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage.”
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN: “As a true friend to Russia’s, he made an invaluable personal contribution to the establishing of neighborly relations between our two countries and made great efforts to elevate them to the level of strategic partnership,” Putin’s letter, published on the Kremlin’s website, reads.
“I had the luck of meeting Ebrahim Raisi more than once, and I will forever remember him as the most wonderful person,” the letter wrote.
CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING: He called the “tragic death” of Raisi “a great loss to the Iranian people and the Chinese people have lost a good friend”, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
QATAR'S EMIR SHEIKH TAMIN BIN HAMAD AL-THANI: "Sincere condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran...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."
VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO: "...Deeply saddened to have to say goodbye to an exemplary person, an extraordinary leader of the world as our brother Ebrahim is, and will always be, an excellent human being, defender of the sovereignty of his people and unconditional friend of our country.
"From Bolivarian lands, we express our deepest condolences to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and wish for divine consolation for such a sensitive loss. We join the feelings of his family and our Iranian brothers and sisters in these difficult moments."
UAE PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL-MAKTOUM: "Our hearts are with you in this difficult time. Our prayers are that God will cover them with His vast mercy and dwell them in His spacious Paradise."
EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT ABDEL FATTAH EL-SISI: "The president of the Arab Republic of Egypt extends his sincere condolences and sympathy to the brotherly Iranian people, and prays that the deceased Iranian President and the departed may rest in God Almighty's mercy, and grant their families patience and solace, expressing the solidarity of the Arab Republic of Egypt with the Iranian leadership and people in this terrible incident."
CHARLES MICHEL, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL: "The European Union expresses its sincere condolences for the death of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Abdollahian, as well as other members of their delegation and crew in a helicopter accident. Our thoughts go to the families."
Who Are The Other Officials Killed In The Helicopter Crash?
Several senior Iranian officials were also killed alongside President Raisi in the helicopter crash in the Dizmar forest. The officials include:
Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian
East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati
Representative of the Iranian supreme leader in East Azerbaijan Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem
Head of presidential guard Mehdi Mousavi
The helicopter’s pilot, co-pilot and crew
The President's death comes at at a fraught moment, as the Middle East remains unsettled by Israel's war on Gaza.
Under Raisi, Iran launched retaliatory drone-and-missile attacks on Israel last month. Iran also enriched uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels, escalating tensions with the West.
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Tehran also supplied bomb-carrying drones to Russia for its war in Ukraine and armed militia groups across the region.
