Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian have died in a helicopter crash.
The development has been confirmed on Monday by Vice President Mohsen Mansouri in a statement on social media and on state television.
“Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azarbaijan Province’s Governor Malek Rahmati, and Mehdi Mousavi, the head of Raisi’s guard team were on board the crashed aircraft as well,” the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) earlier said.
It added that Mohammad Ali Al-e-Hashem, the Supreme Leader’s representative in the East Azerbaijan province, also accompanied the 63-year-old President Raisi and other officials.
Iran’s Mehr news agency also confirmed that “all passengers of the helicopter” were “martyred”.
The chopper that carried President Raisi and Iran’s foreign minister crashed on Sunday while flying through a mountainous terrain amid heavy fog in the Varzaqan region of the country’s East Azerbaijan province.
According to Iranian state media, bad weather caused the crash and complicated rescue efforts in the country’s northwestern region. Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said Raisi was flying in a US-made Bell 212 helicopter.
Read: President Zardari, PM Shehbaz express grief over death of Iranian President
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic death of Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, in a helicopter crash.
In their separate statements, the President and the Prime Minister extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the Iranian President, the Foreign Minister, and others who lost their lives in the accident.
President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to President Raisi’s dedicated services to the Muslim Ummah, highlighting his steadfast advocacy for the unity of Muslim Ummah.
He emphasized that the Islamic World has lost a remarkable leader who always supported Muslim cause and deeply felt the sufferings of the Muslims globally, particularly the Palestinian and Kashmiri people.
He said Pakistan mourns the loss of a great friend. Recalling his recent visit to Pakistan, he said the Iranian President always had a special place for Pakistan and its people.
President Zardari described Raisi’s passing as a great loss not only for Iran but for the entire Muslim Ummah.
He said President Raisi will be dearly missed and fondly remembered in Iran, Pakistan, and the Islamic World for his efforts to enhance relations with regional and Islamic countries.
In a post on his X handle, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said both the Iranian President and the Foreign Minister were good friends of Pakistan.
He said Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and the flag will fly at half-mast as a mark of respect for President Raisi and his companions and in solidarity with the Iranian people.
Shehbaz Sharif said the great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage.
