Saddened and shocked: World leaders extend condolences after President Raisi passing

According to The Iran Project, Raisi 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.

Irreplaceable loss

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Raeisi as an "outstanding politician" and said his death was an "irreplaceable loss."
"Raisi was an outstanding politician whose entire life was dedicated to serving his homeland," Putin said in a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei.

"As a true friend of Russia, he made an invaluable personal contribution to the development of good-neighborly relations between our countries, and made great efforts to take them to the level of a strategic partnership.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Iranian president and top diplomat had been "true and reliable friends" of Moscow.
He further described the pair as "patriots... who firmly defended the interests of their state and gave their lives in selfless service to the Motherland."

China's President Xi Jinping paid tribute to President Raisi, 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 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", Wang 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."

Reporter : Editorial of The Iran Project

Saddened and shocked': World leaders extend condolences after President Raisi passing