Iran Prez Dies In Helicopter Crash, Vice President Takes Over, India, Syria & Lebanon Declares State Mourning

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province on Sunday, Iranian media said. The chopper carrying Iran President Raisi and his foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian had disappeared over a mountainous region

There was “no sign” of life among passengers of the helicopter, Iran’s state television said. “Upon finding the helicopter, there was no sign of the helicopter passengers being alive as of yet,” the state TV said.

This incident follows a period of heightened regional tensions, particularly in light of the Gaza conflict and Iran’s recent escalations with Israel. President Raisi, who has been in office since 2021, has pledged Iran’s steadfast support for Palestine, a stance reiterated during his recent dam inauguration speech.

Iran state media shared videos of the leader on board the chopper on Sunday. The video shows the Iranian leader looking out of an aircraft window as the camera pans to show several senior officials including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian seated opposite him.

World leaders have expressed their condolences on Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash.

China’s President Xi Jinping called the “tragic death” of Raisi “a great loss to the Iranian people and the Chinese people have lost a good friend”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hailed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as an “outstanding politician” and said his death in a helicopter crash was an “irreplaceable loss”.

“Our condolences to the people of Iran for the death of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and others who perished in the helicopter crash,” said NATO spokesperson Farah Daklallah on X.

“France offers its condolences to the Islamic Republic of Iran following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and those accompanying them,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, also expressing its “condolences to the families of the victims of this accident.”

https://x.com/shahidsiddiqui/status/1792518241086218566

Lebanon and Syria on Monday announced three days of national mourning for the Iranian president and foreign minister, who were killed in a helicopter crash overnight near the Azerbaijan border

India has also declared one day’s state mourning as a mark of respect following the death of Iran Prez Raisi and foreign minister Amir-Abdollahian.

Memorial ceremonies for Raisi and Amirabdollahian will be held on Tuesday.

– Dr. Shahid Siddiqui; Follow via X @shahidsiddiqui

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