President Sheikh Mohamed and other world leaders send condolences on death of Iran's Raisi

President extends 'heartfelt sympathies' to families of those killed in helicopter crash in north-west Iran on Sunday

President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in Iran's East Azerbaijan province on Sunday. AP

President Sheikh Mohamed has expressed his “deepest condolences” over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azerbaijan provincial governor Malik Rahmati and Mohammed Ali Ale Hashem, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's representative to East Azerbaijan, also died in the crash in north-west Iran on Sunday.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the Iranian government and people over the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and those accompanying them following a tragic accident,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X.

“We pray that God grants them eternal rest and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to their families. The UAE stands in solidarity with Iran at this difficult time.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also offered condolences to the “brotherly Iranian people and their leadership”.

“Our hearts are with you in this difficult time,” Sheikh Mohammed said on X.

Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, also extended his condolences.

“My sincere condolences to the Iranian government on the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Dr Hossein Amirabdollahian and their companions in the tragic accident,” Dr Gargash wrote on X.

“Our condolences to their families and the Iranian people, and we stand by them in these difficult times.”

Leaders and officials from the region, countries with strong ties with Iran, as well as Iran-backed armed groups, also issued messages of condolences.

Saudi Arabia

King Salman sent a message of condolences to Iran's interim President Mohammad Mokhber.

“We learnt of the news of the death of His Excellency Dr Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic republic of Iran, and his companions – may God have mercy on them – and we send you and the brotherly people of the Islamic republic of Iran our deepest and sincere condolences,” King Salman said, as reported by Saudi state media.

Saudi Arabia and Iran restored relations in a deal brokered by China in March 2023, after having cut off ties seven years earlier.

Bahrain

King Hamad sent a letter of condolences to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Bahrain news agency reported.

“His majesty extended condolences to the Iranian supreme leader, the people of Iran and the families of the demised,” the letter said.

Qatar

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim called the news of Mr Raisi’s passing “painful” and expressed “sincere condolences” to the people and government of Iran.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani opened the Global Security Forum in Doha by offering condolences to Iran.

Syria

“We worked with the late President to ensure that the strategic relations between Syria and Iran remain prosperous always,” President Bashar Al Assad said, expressing deep regret over Mr Raisi’s passing.

Iran has been a key ally of the Assad regime throughout the civil war, which broke out in 2011.

Iraq

“It is with great sadness and great sorrow that we received the news of the death of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” a statement from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani's office read.

“We express our solidarity with the brotherly Iranian people and with the responsible brothers in the Islamic Republic in this painful tragedy.”

Iran and Iraq have had strong relations since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003. Tehran and Baghdad are bound by economic, religious and social ties. Dozens of armed Iraqi groups are also affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani offered his condolences to the Iranian people and government and “especially the grieving families for this painful tragedy”.

The country has also declared Tuesday as a day of mourning.

Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces expressed condolences, saying Mr Raisi had “always declared that Iraq and Iran are one people that cannot be separated”.

Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah Al Nujaba, both affiliated to Iran, expressed their sympathies.

Iranian rescue workers near the wreckage of the helicopter that crashed and killed President Ebrahim Raisi. EPA

The GCC

GCC Secretary General Jasem Al Budaiwi extended his condolences after the “tragic accident.”

Mr Al Budaiwi emphasised the “solidarity of the GCC with the government and people of Iran in these difficult circumstances”, a statement read.

Egypt

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said his country stood in solidarity with the Iranian people and leadership over “this horrendous loss”.

Relations between Egypt and Iran have recently thawed after decades of tension but have yet to be fully restored.

United States

The US has expressed its official condolences after the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and other members of their delegation in a helicopter crash in north-west Iran.

“As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms” spokesman Mathew Miller said.

Turkey

In his condolence message, Turkey's President described his late Iranian counterpart as 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,” Mr Erdogan said on X.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at Saadabad Palace in Tehran, in July 2022. AP

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded Mr Raisi as “a true friend of Russia” in a message of condolence to Mr Khamenei.

“As a true friend of Russia, he made an invaluable personal contribution to the development of good neighbourly relations between our countries and made great efforts to bring them to the level of strategic partnership,” Mr Putin said.

China

China’s President said the “tragic death” of Mr Raisi was “a great loss to the Iranian people”.

“President Xi Jinping pointed out … His tragic death is a great loss to the Iranian people, and the Chinese people have lost a good friend,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

India

“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic republic of Iran,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X.

He praised Mr Raisi for his contribution to strengthening ties between their two countries.

“India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.”

Pakistan

“I along with the government and people of Pakistan extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iranian nation on this terrible loss,” Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on X.

Iran and Pakistan have close historical and religious ties but have also faced obstacles.

In January, Iran launched missile and drone strikes on Pakistan’s Balochistan province, killing at least five. Pakistan responded with military strikes that killed at least nine.

Both countries then released reconciliatory statements.

The EU

The EU expressed its “sincere condolences” over the death of Mr Raisi and other officials.

“Our thoughts go out to the families,” European Council President Charles Michel said on X.

In addition to world leaders, Iran’s proxy groups have also issued statements of condolences.

IAEA

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, expressed his condolences and held a minute of silence for Mr Raisi and Mr Amirabdollahian at the International Conference on Nuclear Security.

“Our thoughts are with their families and the people of Iran during this difficult time,” he said.

Yemen's Houthi rebels

“Our deepest condolences to the Iranian people, the Iranian leadership and the families of President Raisi and the accompanying delegation on their reported martyrdom,” the leader of the Yemen's Houthi rebels said on X.

The Houthis, who control Sanaa and territories in the north and west of the country, are part of the Axis of Resistance, an anti-western political and military coalition led by Tehran.

“The Iranian people will remain adhering to the loyal leaders of their people, by God's will,” Muhammad Al Houthi said.

Hezbollah

Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group praised Mr Raisi as the “protector” of the resistance.

He was “a strong supporter, and a staunch defender of our causes … and a protector of the resistance movements”, the group said in a statement.

Lebanon's government declared three days of mourning for Mr Raisi.

Hamas

Hamas mourned Mr Raisi as an “honourable supporter” of the Palestinian cause. The Palestinian armed group said it appreciated the late President’s “support for the Palestinian resistance, and tireless efforts in solidarity” since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7.

Iran supports Hamas financially and militarily. Under Mr Raisi, Tehran launched an unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel in retaliation to an air strike – widely blamed on Israel – on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that killed senior members of the IRGC.