Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the international leaders who sent their condolences on Monday following the deaths of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Ebrahim Raisi passed away tragically, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock and said that his “contribution to strengthening the India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered.”
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Recalling his discussions with Raisi and the foreign minister from January of this year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also expressed his condolences for their loss.
“Deeply shocked to learn of Iran’s Foreign Minister H. Amir-Abdollahian and President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi’s deaths in the helicopter crash. Remember the numerous times I met with them, the last one being in January 2024? We send our sympathies to their families. “We are standing by the Iranian people during this tragic time,” he remarked.
Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, announced a national day of mourning on Monday in response to Raisi’s passing. In addition, he said that the Pakistani flag shall fly at half mast in observance of the Iranian President and his associates.
“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,” Sharif wrote on X.
The Hamas organisation, which is supported by Iran, also sent its “deepest condolences and solidarity” for the “immense loss” to the Iranian people, the Iranian government, and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The group expressed hope that Iran’s “deep-rooted institutions” will allow it to overcome “the repercussions of this great loss” and hailed Raisi and the foreign minister for their support of the Palestinian cause and struggle against Israel, according to Reuters.
A day after the chopper carrying him and his friends crashed, Raisi was found dead. The incident happened close to Jolfa, which is 600 kilometres (375 miles) northwest of Tehran, the capital of Iran, and is on the border with the country of Azerbaijan.
The local media said that Raisi was on his way back from neighbouring Azerbaijan.
Nine people were reportedly on board the helicopter: the governor of the province of Eastern Azerbaijan, Malek Rahmati, Imam Mohammad Ali Alehashem, the head of security, the pilot, the copilot, and another bodyguard. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was also present, as was Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.
According to reports, the helicopter crash was caused by wind, fog, and heavy rain. However, the incident has also been referred to as a “hard landing” in some publications.