International tributes following the announcement of the death of the Iranian president
In the aftermath of the unthinkable disaster scenario of the helicopter “accident” which cost the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raïssi, his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amirabdollahian, and members of the delegation who accompanied them, At a time when shock and consternation prevail in Iran and elsewhere, particularly in the Arab and Muslim world, inevitable questions arise about the why and how and the consequences of such a tragedy…
Legitimate questions that torment many minds, and that the eagerness to absolve itself of any responsibility shown by an Israeli official, who on condition of anonymity told Reuters “ It's not us ”, is not likely to appease. (source Times of Israel).
It was amidst a shower of international tributes that the announcement of the tragic disappearance of the second figure of the Islamic Republic of Iran was received, at the end of a Sunday, May 19, which held the five continents in suspense.
As Iran prepares to observe five days of national mourning, many heads of state immediately presented their most sincere condolences, greatly deploring the “ loss of a friend, a partner, a brother from a brother country »at the forefront of which is the Algerian president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Below is the substance of his message:
“ Excellency the First Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, we have followed with you, from the beginning, with emotion and concern, the difficult times experienced by the brotherly Iranian people, while awaiting information on the leaves the helicopter carrying the late Ebrahim Raïssi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a sister country, and the members of the accompanying delegation, composed of senior officials, and it is with great affliction and deep sadness that we learned of the tragic death of our dear brother Ebrahim Raïssi “. (APS source)
“ We express our deep sympathy and fraternal support to the political leaders, government and people of the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran “.
“ In this painful circumstance where the Algerian people sympathize with the pain of their brothers in Iran, I lose, personally, in Ebrahim Raïssi, a brother and a partner with whom I worked to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, cooperation and solidarity between our two brother countries and peoples, and in favor of the just causes carried by our Islamic Nation “.
Excerpts from other condolence messages
worldwide
China
President Xi Jinping called Raisi's “tragic death” a “great loss for the Iranian people,” lamenting “the passing of a good friend of the Chinese people,” according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
European Union
European Council President Charles Michel expressed the European Union's “sincere condolences”, while Josep Borrell, its foreign policy chief, wrote: “The EU expresses its sympathy to the families of all the victims and to the concerned Iranian citizens.”
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened and shocked” by Raisi’s death. “His contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between India and Iran will always be remembered. My deepest condolences to his family and the Iranian people. India stands with Iran in this time of sadness,” he wrote on X.
Iraq
“We express our solidarity with the brotherly Iranian people and the leaders of the Islamic Republic during this painful tragedy,” Shiite Prime Minister al-Sudani wrote in a statement.
Hamas
The Palestinian group conveyed its “deepest condolences and solidarity to Khamenei, the government and the people of Iran for “this immense loss.” He posthumously praised Raisi and Amirabollahian for their support of Palestine against Israel, while expressing confidence that Iran's “deep-rooted institutions” would overcome “the repercussions of this great loss.”
Malaysia
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he was “deeply saddened” by the news, stressing that he had had the “honor” of meeting Raisi last November. “His dedication to justice, peace and the upliftment of the Ummah was truly inspiring. We are committed to strengthening Malaysia-Iran relations, working together for the benefit of our people and the Muslim world. Our promise will be kept,” he stressed.
Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared a day of mourning in Pakistan. “May the martyred souls rest in heavenly peace. The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with usual courage,” he wrote on X.
Qatar
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed his condolences to the Iranian people. “Let us ask God Almighty for mercy and forgiveness for (those killed) and for their families with patience and comfort. We belong to Allah and to Him we will return,” he posted on X.
Russia
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed condolences over the deaths of two senior Iranian officials whom he called “reliable friends” of Russia. “Their role in strengthening mutually beneficial Russian-Iranian cooperation and trusting partnership is invaluable,” he highlighted, before continuing: “We extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as to all the friendly people of Iran. Our thoughts and hearts are with you at this sad hour.”
President Vladimir Putin joined the eulogy of his minister, offering his condolences to Tehran in these terms: “Raisi was an exceptional politician whose entire life was devoted to the service of his homeland,” he said. -he writes in a letter to Khamenei, published on the Kremlin website.
And added: “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 bring them to the level of a strategic partnership.”
Türkiye
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed his condolences, saying Ankara had been in contact with Iran since hearing about the accident on Sunday.
He insisted that relevant Turkish institutions, including the Defense Ministry and the disaster management authority, had done “their best.” “But unfortunately, we did not get the good news we expected,” he regretted during a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, in Islamabad.
The Houthis of Yemen
Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of the Houthis' Supreme Revolutionary Committee, expressed his “deepest condolences” to the Iranian people and the families of officials who died in the crash. He said he was “certain” that Iran would continue to “adhere to the loyal leaders of its people, by the will of God”.
