Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash yesterday in Iran near the Iran-Azerbaijan border. Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber was confirmed as interim president of Iran by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who stated, “Mokhber will manage the executive branch and is obliged to arrange with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to elect a new president within a maximum of 50 days.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated “the Chinese people have lost a good friend” in response to news of Raisi’s death. Russian President Vladimir Putin told Mokhber that Russia will continue to strengthen its relationship with Iran, and stated Raisi was a true friend of Russia:
He rightfully enjoyed high respect from his compatriots and significant authority abroad. 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 strategic partnership.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences, and said that India stands with Iran, stating on X:
Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he remembered Raisi with respect and gratitude, stating on X:
I pray for God’s mercy on my dear colleague, my brother, and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Ibrahim Reisi, who we learned unfortunately passed away in a helicopter crash. I wish God’s mercy to the Iranian Foreign Minister and other people who lost their lives in the same helicopter as the late Chief. I express my deepest condolences to the friendly and brotherly Iranian people and government, especially to the Religious Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Ali Khamenei, and to the families of his Hon’ble President and other deceased people. As a colleague who personally witnessed his efforts for the peace of the Iranian people and our region during his time in office, I remember Mr. Chairman with respect and gratitude. As Türkiye, we will stand by our neighbor Iran in these difficult and sad times, as we have done many times.
The European Union expressed sympathies to the families of the victims of the crash, stating in a press release:
The European Union offers its condolences for the death of President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdollahian and other Iranian officials involved in the tragic helicopter crash on Sunday. The EU expresses its sympathies to the families of all the victims and to the Iranian citizens affected.
