Tragedy: Iran observes five days of mourning
President Xi Jinping on Monday expressed his deepest condolences on the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, saying the Chinese people have lost an intelligent friend who made positive efforts to consolidate and expand ties between Beijing and Tehran.
Raisi and other officials were found dead early Monday after a difficult middle-of-the-night search amid bad weather in Iran’s northwestern province of East Azerbaijan, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has appointed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim president, in accordance with Article 131 of the Iranian Constitution.
In a message sent to Mokhber on behalf of the Chinese people and the people, Xi expressed deep sorrow over Raisi’s passing and expressed solidarity with Mokhber, Raisi’s family and the Iranian people.
Xi said that since Raisi took office as president, he has made vital contributions to maintaining Iran’s security and stability and promoting national progress and prosperity. Raisi’s unfortunate passing is a great loss for the Iranian people, the Chinese president said, adding that Chinese people have lost an intelligent friend.
Xi also said the Chinese government and others highly value the country’s classic friendship with Iran, while expressing hope that the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership will continue to consolidate and evolve through the two sides’ joint efforts.
The Chinese side also expressed its deepest condolences on the death of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who was also killed in the crash. Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has been appointed head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported. reported, bringing up an announcement through Iranian government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi.
Raisi’s helicopter crashed in Iran’s Varzaqan region on Sunday as he was returning from a rite to inaugurate a dam on Iran’s border with Azerbaijan, Iranian news firm Mehr reported. The bodies of the people aboard the helicopter were first transported to Tabriz in northwestern Iran. before additional arrangements were made, according to Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Red Crescent Society, which oversaw the search.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters on Monday that after the crash, China was actively assisting in search and rescue efforts.
“We are in a position to continue to provide all necessary assistance to the Iranian side and for the Iranian government and others to have the ability to get through this difficult period,” he said.
As condolences from other heads of state and heads of foreign organizations flock to Tehran, Iran will practice five days of public mourning, as Ali Khamenei said on Monday morning.
“In this bitter tragedy, the Iranian country has lost a warm, humble and cherished servant,” Iran’s ideal leader said in a public message.
Ali Khamenei expressed his “deep sadness and regret” on social media platform X over what he called “the bitter news of the martyrdom of the people’s president, the competent and hard-working Haj Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi, and his esteemed entourage. “
Ali Khamenei also paid tribute to those killed in the crash, adding Tabriz Friday prayer leader Hujjat al-Islam Ale-Hashem and “the diligent and active Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Amir-Abdollahian. “
Former presidents Hassan Rouhani, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Mohammad Khatami also expressed support for the deaths.
Millions of Iranians had prayed for Raisi’s return from Sunday until Monday morning, only to sink into grief when they learned of his death.
“I clung to the pain,” a middle-aged man in Tehran told CGTN on Monday, claiming he enjoyed the president.
Mokhber held an emergency assembly after rescue groups located the wreckage of the helicopter, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Monday. The assembly was attended by the speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and the head of the Iranian judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i.
Mokhber said that since the country’s formula is well-established and strong, there will be none in the country’s administration.
Ali Khamenei also told Mokhber, speaker of parliament and head of the judiciary, to prepare for elections for a new president within 50 days.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry also expressed its gratitude to the foreign network for its fear and help since the helicopter’s disappearance on Sunday afternoon. Neighboring Turkey and Azerbaijan have sent rescue teams equipped with night-vision equipment, and Turkish drones located the site of the helicopter’s wreckage in mountainous forests. in thick fog Monday morning. More than forty-five local groups were also sent to the domain to locate the crash site.