Paris, France — Iran’s powerful allies on Monday mourned the death of its President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, while regional groups hailed him as a supporter of the Palestinian cause.
Russia and China called the deceased leader a “friend”, while Iran’s arch-foes the United States and Israel had yet to react publicly.
Here is a roundup of key reactions:
– United Nations –
Members of the UN Security Council observed a minute’s silence in Raisi’s memory at the request of the current council president, Mozambique Ambassador Pedro Comissario Afonso.
– NATO –
NATO spokesperson Farah Daklallah on X sent the military alliance’s “condolences to the people of Iran”.
– China-
China’s President Xi Jinping said “the Chinese people have lost a good friend,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a press conference.
– European Union –
The European Union expressed its “sincere condolences”. EU Council President Charles Michel said in a statement: “Our thoughts go to the families.”
– Gulf states –
Iran’s Gulf neighbors Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman sent their condolences.
Jassem al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), called it a “tragic accident”.
– Russia –
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Raisi as an “outstanding politician” and “a true friend of Russia” in a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
– France –
France sent condolences to Iran and “the families of the victims of this accident,” in a foreign ministry statement.
– India –
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise” of Raisi, adding that “India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.”
– Japan –
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a statement he was “deeply saddened” by Raisi’s passing, recalling his “candid discussions” with Raisi and the two countries’ “friendly relations”.
– Turkey –
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent “sincere condolences to the friendly and fraternal people and government” of Iran in a message on X.
– Taliban –
Mohammad Hassan Akhund, leader of Afghanistan’s Taliban government, said in a statement: “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and all Afghans are deeply saddened and affected by this tragic event.”
– Hamas –
Hamas mourned Raisi as an “honorable supporter” of the group and hailed his “support for the Palestinian resistance”.
– Hezbollah –
Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah group, which has traded deadly cross-border fire with Israel during the war, praised Raisi as “a strong supporter, and a staunch defender of our causes”.
– Houthis –
Yemen’s Tehran-backed Huthi rebels said Raisi’s death “is a loss not only for Iran but also for the entire Islamic world and Palestine and Gaza,” Huthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam said on X.
– Iraq –
Iran’s neighbour Iraq announced a day of mourning, the prime minister’s office announced.
– African Union –
African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” and voiced the AU’s “deep sympathy and solidarity” with Iran.
– Brazil –
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed “sadness” at the news and sent his “condolences”.
– Syria –
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a statement expressed solidarity with Tehran, which has backed him during more than a decade of civil war.
