TEHRAN: World leaders have reacted to the news of the Iranian president’s helicopter crash in the northwest of the country, expressing concern and solidarity with the Iranian people and government, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who along with Raisi inaugurated the joint Qiz Qalasi Dam at the border between the two countries earlier on Sunday, expressed concern over the incident and announced Baku’s readiness to help Iran.
The Armenian foreign ministry expressed shock in a post on its X account.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with President Raisi and Minister Amirabdollahian and all others reported to be at the site. As rescue operations continue, Armenia, as a close and friendly neighbour of Iran, is ready to provide all necessary support.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed sympathy and said that he is following developments regarding the incident.
Turkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority also announced that they had dispatched a team to Iran to help in the search and rescue operation for Raisi and his entourage.
In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Parliament Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq issued separate messages, expressing deep concern over the incident involving President Raisi and his entourage.
They prayed for Raisi and expressed solidarity with the Iranian nation at this difficult time.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a message on the X social media platform, expressing deep concern, saying, “We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for the well-being of the President and his entourage.”
Afghanistan through its foreign ministry of the ruling Taliban government said on its Telegram page that it is following reports regarding the Iranian president and his accompanying team, expressing hope that they are found as soon as possible.
Iraq’s President Abdul Latif Rashid expressed concern and said that he had discussed the incident with Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad.
He also held a telephone conversation with Iran’s Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber and wished President Raisi and his accompanying delegation well on behalf of the Iraqi government and people.
Separately, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani also ordered Iraq’s interior ministry and Red Crescent Society as well as other related bodies to provide Iran with required services to help it find the missing helicopter of President Raisi.
Saudi Arabia expressed grave concern as well and announced its readiness to help Iran.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, expressed concern about the accident of the Iranian president’s helicopter and emphasized Cairo’s solidarity with Tehran.
“The government of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern what was circulated in the media regarding the helicopter carrying Raisi and an accompanying delegation. We reaffirm that Saudi Arabia stands by the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran in these difficult circumstances,” the Foreign Ministry said, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
In a statement, Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs wished health to Iranian President Raisi and his companions. The ministry also expressed sympathy with the government and people of Iran over this tragedy.
The Foreign Ministry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced, in a statement, that it is following with great concern the news about the crash of a helicopter carrying the Iranian president and his delegation.
The ministry expressed Abu Dhabi’s full readiness to provide any support to Tehran in the search and rescue operations.
Oman, in a statement published by the country’s official news agency, expressed deep concern over the accident of the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and said it is ready to offer any help Tehran requires.
Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Yemen, Russia, and Venezuela also expressed their concern as well and said that they stand by the Iranian nation. The countries also expressed their readiness to provide support to the Islamic Republic.
The United States (US) and the European Union, meanwhile said that they are monitoring the situation and following reports about the air incident involving the Iranian president as well as the foreign minister and other members of their team.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a message: “I am following the news related to the helicopter of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation through the crisis unit and embassy in Tehran.”
Tajani added that he has also kept Prime Minister Georgia Meloni updated on the developments related to the hard landing of the helicopter carrying the Iranian President and Foreign Minister and their accompanying delegation.
European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic also said that the bloc is activating its rapid response service in response to a request by Iran.
“Upon Iranian request for assistance we are activating the EU’s Copernicus EMS rapid response mapping service in view of the helicopter accident reportedly carrying the President of Iran and its foreign minister,” Lenarcic said on X, using #EUSolidarity at the end of his post. – BERNAMA-IRNA
