News - Middle East: World leaders have extended condolences to the Iranian government and nation over the martyrdom of President Ebrahim Raeisi in a helicopter crash in the country’s northwest.

Raeisi died alongside his accompanying delegation, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, after their chopper crashed in the Dizmar forest in East Azarbaijan Province on Sunday.

Following an hours-long search hampered by poor weather conditions, rescuers found the burnt-out wreckage of the helicopter and its passengers were confirmed dead.

China's President Xi Jinping paid tribute to President Raeisi, saying the "tragic death" of his Iranian counterpart is "a great loss to the Iranian people.”

"President Xi Jinping pointed out... the Chinese people have lost a good friend," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference.

Xi sent "sincere condolences" to the Iran's first vice president, the spokesman added.

Wang said China had also expressed "deep sorrow" at the death of  Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Xi said that "President Raeisi has made important contributions to maintaining Iran's security and stability, promoting national development and prosperity, and also made active efforts to consolidate and develop the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership".

China would offer "all necessary support and assistance" and "continue to support the Iranian government and people in safeguarding their independence, stability and development", he said.

'Deeply saddened and shocked'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said he was "deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise" of the Iranian president.

"My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran," he added. "India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow," he said in social media post on Monday.

India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also posted on X that he was "deeply shocked to hear of the passing away" of President Raeisi and his own counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

"Our condolences to their families," he said. "We stand with the people of Iran at time of this tragedy."

Terrible loss

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared a day of mourning “as a mark of respect for President Raeisi and his companions and in solidarity with Brotherly Iran.”

“Pakistan had the pleasure of hosting President Raeisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on a historic visit, less than a month ago. They were good friends of Pakistan,” he wrote on X.

“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.”

Counterpart and brother

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Raeisi as his “counterpart and brother.”

“I remember Mr. Raeisi with respect and gratitude” as a person who “worked for peace of Iranian people and for our region during his tenure,” he added.

Outstanding world leader

Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he was shocked by the tragic demise of President Raeisi.

He described the Iranian chief executive as “an exemplary person, an outstanding world leader,” as well as a “protector of the sovereignty of his people and an unconditional friend” of Venezuela.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani also offered deepest condolences and sympathy to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, along with the Iranian government and people, over the incident and wished divine mercy for the martyrs.

“With great sorrow and profound sadness, we received the news of the tragic helicopter crash in northern Iran that claimed the lives of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raeisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and their companions,” he said in a statement.

The Palestinian Hamas resistance group expressed “shared feelings of sorrow and pain with the brotherly Iranian people and … full solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran in this tragic incident.”

The martyrs, it said, “held honorable stances in support of the Palestinian cause” and the nation’s “legitimate struggle against the Zionist entity.”

“They made diligent efforts in solidarity [with] … the steadfast Gaza Strip” and tried to “stop the Zionist aggression against our Palestinian people,” it noted.

Staunch supporter

Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement also described the Iranian president as a “big brother” to the Lebanese resistance movement, and a staunch supporter of its cause, saying he had defended resistance groups and their fighters.

Similarly, it added, Amir-Abdollahian was a lover of resistance movements and dedicated to their support.

In solidarity with Iran

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said his country "stands in solidarity with Iran at this difficult time.”

"I extend my deepest condolences to the Iranian government and people over the passing of President Ebrahim Raeisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and those accompanying them following a tragic accident," he said in an X post.

In another statement on X, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani extended his "sincere condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran" on the painful incident.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said his Iranian counterpart’s “dedication to his career” made him “a martyr for the sake of duty.”

In a message carried by the official SANA news agency, Assad "affirmed Syria's solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran and with the families of the late deceased and his comrades.”

"We worked with the late President to ensure that strategic relations between Syria and Iran flourish always,” he asserted.

In a statement released on social media, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said “the Iranian people lost a prominent statesman who served his country with dedication and loyalty all his life.”

“On this sorrowful day, I pray to Almighty Allah to grant patience and fortitude to the friendly and brotherly people of Iran,” he added.

Source: Press TV