:2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash
{{Short description|Aviation accident in Iran}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox aircraft occurrence
| name = 2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash
| image = Raisi's helicopter leaving Khudafarin (cropped).jpg
| caption = {{IRIAF serial|6|9207}}, the helicopter involved in the crash, leaving the Giz Galasi Dam on the day of the accident
| occurrence_type = Accident
| date = {{Start date and age|2024|05|19|df=yes}}
| summary = Crashed after loss of visual contact with escort
| site = near Uzi, East Azerbaijan, Iran
| coordinates = {{WikidataCoord|Q125986235|display=inline,title}}
| aircraft_type = Bell 212
| operator = {{Air force|IRN}}
| tail_number = {{IRIAF serial|6|9207}}
| origin = Giz Galasi Dam, Azerbaijan–Iran border
| destination = Tabriz, Iran
| occupants = 8
| passengers = 5
| crew = 3
| fatalities = 8
| survivors = 0
}}
On 19 May 2024, an Iranian Air Force helicopter crashed near the village of Uzi, East Azerbaijan, Iran, killing President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Governor-General of East Azerbaijan Malek Rahmati, representative of the supreme leader in East Azerbaijan Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the head of the president's security team, and three flight crew.{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/20/who-died-alongside-irans-president-raisi-in-the-helicopter-crash |title=Who died alongside Iran's President Raisi in the helicopter crash? |date=20 May 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519213002/https://apnews.com/article/helicopter-iran-raisi-crash-azerbaijan-3ef9fe5772fb06f6d9dcc371b115923f |url-status=live}} It was en route in a convoy of three helicopters from the Giz Galasi Dam to Tabriz.
Background
File:Ilham Aliyev and President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi met at the Azerbaijan-Iran state border - 04.jpg, hours before the crash]]
The helicopter involved was a Bell 212{{Cite web |first=Gerry |last=Doyle |title=Ebrahim Raisi death: What do we know about the Bell 212 helicopter? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/what-we-know-about-crashed-helicopter-carrying-irans-president-2024-05-20/ |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Reuters |date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520180756/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/what-we-know-about-crashed-helicopter-carrying-irans-president-2024-05-20/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=How sanctions played havoc with Iran's ageing helicopters |first1=John Paul |last1=Rathbone |first2=Sylvia |last2=Pfeifer |first3=Philip |last3=Georgiadis |url=https://www.ft.com/content/f5a9be7a-b446-426f-8b04-ee6a340bb781 |access-date=22 May 2024 |website=Financial Times |date=21 May 2024 |url-access=limited |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522131735/https://www.ft.com/content/f5a9be7a-b446-426f-8b04-ee6a340bb781 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-426c6f4ae2dd1f0801c73875bb696f48 |title=Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast |first=Jon |last=Gambrell |date=20 May 2024 |website=AP News |access-date=29 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520030612/https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-426c6f4ae2dd1f0801c73875bb696f48 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=23 May 2024 |title=Raisi's death: last words on board the aircraft |url=https://www.avionews.it/item/1258444-raisi-s-death-last-words-on-board-the-aircraft.html |access-date=29 May 2024 |website=AvioNews |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523152742/https://www.avionews.it/item/1258444-raisi-s-death-last-words-on-board-the-aircraft.html |url-status=live}} with Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) registration number {{IRIAF serial|6|9207}}. Iran purchased the helicopter in the early 2000s. Former presidents Abolhassan Banisadr (served 1980–1981) and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (served 2005–2013) were both involved in helicopter crashes during their terms in office, but survived.{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-raisi-helicopter-crash-funerals-7bb445b5885fdf0ac8616820bf7f59f6 |title=Mourners begin days of funerals for Iran's president and others killed in helicopter crash |date=21 May 2024 |first=Jon |last=Gambrell |website=AP News |access-date=29 May 2024 |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521132219/https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-raisi-helicopter-crash-funerals-7bb445b5885fdf0ac8616820bf7f59f6 |url-status=live}}
A day before the crash, the Iran Meteorological Organization issued an orange weather warning (severe weather that may cause damage or accidents) for the region.{{Cite web |title=روایت خبرنگار تسنیم از منطقه سانحه بالگرد رئیسجمهور + فیلم |trans-title=Tasnim reporter's narration from the area of the president's helicopter accident + video |url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1403/02/30/3088772/روایت-خبرنگار-تسنیم-از-منطقه-سانحه-بالگرد-رئیس-جمهور-فیلم |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519230420/https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1403/02/30/3088772/روایت-خبرنگار-تسنیم-از-منطقه-سانحه-بالگرد-رئیس-جمهور-فیلم |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=19 May 2024 |website=Tasnim News Agency |language=fa}}
Accident
On 19 May, Raisi met President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the Giz Galasi hydroelectric complex along their countries' borders to inaugurate it and to commission the Khoda Afarin hydroelectric complex.{{cite web |date=19 May 2024 |title=Ceremony to commission "Khudafarin" hydroelectric complex and inaugurate "Giz Galasi" hydroelectric complex was held with participation of Azerbaijani and Iranian Presidents |url=https://azertag.az/en/xeber/ceremony_to_commission__quotkhudafarin_quot_hydroelectric_complex_and_inaugurate__quotgiz_galasi_quot_hydroelectric_complex_was_held_with_participation_of_azerbaijani_and_iranian_presidents_video-3010630 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519212412/https://azertag.az/en/xeber/ceremony_to_commission__quotkhudafarin_quot_hydroelectric_complex_and_inaugurate__quotgiz_galasi_quot_hydroelectric_complex_was_held_with_participation_of_azerbaijani_and_iranian_presidents_video-3010630 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=19 May 2024 |work=Azerbaijan State News Agency}}{{cite web |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/215356/Qiz-Qalasi-Dam-symbol-of-cooperation-between-Tehran-Baku |title=Qiz-Qalasi Dam symbol of cooperation between Tehran, Baku |work=Mehr News Agency |date=19 May 2024 |access-date=19 May 2024 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519104607/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/215356/Qiz-Qalasi-Dam-symbol-of-cooperation-between-Tehran-Baku |url-status=live}} Following the meeting, Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian, Rahmati, Ale-Hashem, and Raisi's head of security, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Mehdi Mousavi, departed for Tabriz by helicopter to inaugurate a project at an oil refinery.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4nnd23d505o |title=Ebrahim Raisi: What we know about deadly Iran helicopter crash |date=20 May 2024 |website=BBC |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520151854/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4nnd23d505o |url-status=live}} The helicopter was part of a convoy of three helicopters and was crewed by Iranian Air Force pilots Colonel Taher Mostafavi and Colonel Mohsen Daryanush and flight technician Major Behrouz Qadimi.{{efn|The Turkish newspaper Türkiye, citing an Iranian security source, avers that Russian-made helicopters associated with the Revolutionary Guard Corps usually transport such high officials, and that the crew in this instance was Army staff. Furthermore the helicopter was supposedly outfitted with the standard GPS and transponder as well as a continuous beacon.{{Cite web |url=https://www.turkiyegazetesi.com.tr/dunya/sisin-ardindaki-sis-iran-lideri-reisi-ic-cekismeye-mi-kurban-gitti-1041728 |title=Sisin ardındaki sis... İran lideri Reisi, iç çekişmeye mi kurban gitti? |date=21 May 2024 |website=Türkiye Gazetesi |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521105537/https://www.turkiyegazetesi.com.tr/dunya/sisin-ardindaki-sis-iran-lideri-reisi-ic-cekismeye-mi-kurban-gitti-1041728 |url-status=live}}}} A total of eight people were aboard the helicopter.
At around 13:30 IRST (UTC+3:30), the helicopter crashed approximately {{convert|2|km}} south-west of the village of Uzi,{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/raisi-iran-president-helicopter-crash-05-20-24#h_29112c6cdfd1675320d49265c6be9671 |title=CNN geolocates Iran helicopter crash site |date=20 May 2024 |website=CNN |access-date=23 May 2024 |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521110435/https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/raisi-iran-president-helicopter-crash-05-20-24/h_29112c6cdfd1675320d49265c6be9671 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Gambrell |first=Jon |date=19 May 2024 |title=Iran's hard-line president still missing after likely helicopter crash in foggy, mountainous region |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-helicopter-raisi-b483ba75e4339cfb0fe00c7349d023b8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519134025/https://apnews.com/article/iran-helicopter-raisi-b483ba75e4339cfb0fe00c7349d023b8 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=29 May 2024 |website=AP News}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/6112174/اخبار-حادثه-سقوط-بالگرد-شهادت-رئیس-جمهور-وزیر-خارجه-و-همراهان |title=اخبار حادثه سقوط بالگرد/ شهادت رئیس جمهور، وزیر خارجه و همراهان |trans-title=News of the collapse incident / testimony of the President, Foreign Minister and their companions |agency=Mehr News Agency |language=fa |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520041605/https://www.mehrnews.com/news/6112174/اخبار-حادثه-سقوط-بالگرد-شهادت-رئیس-جمهور-وزیر-خارجه-و-همراهان |url-status=live}} in the Dizmar Forest region, a wildlife corridor in Varzaqan County, East Azerbaijan province.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/19/world/middleeast/iran-president-helicopter-crash.html |title=Helicopter Carrying Iran's President Has Crashed, State Media Reports |date=19 May 2024 |last=Fassihi |first=Farnaz |work=The New York Times |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519142018/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/19/world/middleeast/iran-president-helicopter-crash.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/19/president-raisis-helicopter-crashed-in-iran-what-we-know-so-far |title=President Raisi's helicopter crashes in Iran: What we know so far |date=20 May 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519220737/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/19/president-raisis-helicopter-crashed-in-iran-what-we-know-so-far |url-status=live}}{{efn|The altitude of the crash site is {{convert|2205|m}}.{{Cite web |url=https://www.freemaptools.com/elevation-finder.htm |title=Elevation Finder |access-date=23 May 2024 |archive-date=16 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516040306/https://www.freemaptools.com/elevation-finder.htm |url-status=live}}}}
The head of the President's Office, Gholam-Hossein Esmaeili, was in one of the other helicopters. He stated that the helicopters took off at around 13:00. The weather was normal at the start and during most of the flight. Forty-five minutes into the flight, the pilot of Raisi's helicopter, who was in charge of the convoy, ordered other helicopters to increase altitude to avoid a nearby cloud. After 30 seconds of flying over the cloud, the pilot of Esmaeili's helicopter noticed that Raisi's helicopter, which was flying between the two others, had disappeared. The pilot returned to search for Raisi's helicopter and made a few circles, but was unable to contact it via radio and could not descend because of the cloud, so he landed at the nearby Sungun copper mine 30 seconds later.{{cite news |url=https://en.irna.ir/news/85485620/Official-reveals-more-details-of-president-Raisi-s-copter-crash |title=Official reveals more details of president Raisi's copter crash |date=21 May 2024 |website=IRNA |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522083037/https://en.irna.ir/news/85485620/Official-reveals-more-details-of-president-Raisi-s-copter-crash |url-status=live}} The pilots then called the phone of Captain Mostafavi, who was in charge of Raisi's helicopter, but Ale-Hashem answered, who said the helicopter had crashed into a valley. Esmaeili himself made a second call and spoke to Ale-Hashem, who told him: "I don't feel good, I don't know what happened, I don't know where I am, I'm under trees, I don't know, I don't see anyone, I'm alone." They took an ambulance with medical personnel and drove to the site, speaking several times to Ale-Hashem, who was answering the calls for about three hours.{{cite news |url=https://ru.irna.ir/news/85485641/В-офисе-президента-Ирана-раскрыли-подробности-крушения-вертолета |language=ru |script-title=ru:В офисе президента Ирана раскрыли подробности крушения вертолета Раиси |trans-title=Iran President's Office reveals details of Raisi's helicopter crash |date=21 May 2024 |website=IRNA |access-date=23 May 2024 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522070402/https://ru.irna.ir/news/85485641/В-офисе-президента-Ирана-раскрыли-подробности-крушения-вертолета |url-status=live}} Ale-Hashem died before the rescuers could arrive.
Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Housing and Transportation Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash, who were travelling in the other two helicopters,{{clarify|date=May 2024|reason=Which one was Esmaeili in? Is this description consistent with Esmaeili's description?}} arrived safely in Tabriz{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/19/helicopter-carrying-irans-president-suffers-hard-landing-state-tv |title=Search under way after helicopter carrying Iran's president Raisi crashes |date=19 May 2024 |last=Motamedi |first=Maziar |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=19 May 2024 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519154543/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/19/helicopter-carrying-irans-president-suffers-hard-landing-state-tv |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20240519-helicopter-carrying-iran-s-president-raisi-makes-hard-landing-state-tv-says |title=What do we know so far about Iranian president's helicopter 'accident' |date=20 May 2024 |website=France 24 |access-date=20 May 2024}} after their aircraft made unsuccessful searches for the third helicopter for fifteen to twenty minutes after losing contact with it.
Recovery
News of the crash was released at 16:00, with Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi describing it as a hard landing caused by bad weather and fog. Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces, ordered all its branches to deploy their full resources for rescue operations. Heavy fog affected search-and-rescue operations in Varzaqan.{{Cite web |last1=Norman |first1=Laurence |last2=Faucon |first2=Benoit |last3=Eqbali |first3=Aresu |name-list-style=and |date=20 May 2024 |title=Iranian President, Foreign Minister Killed in Helicopter Crash |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/helicopter-carrying-irans-president-makes-difficult-landing-d51329d7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519144415/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/helicopter-carrying-irans-president-makes-difficult-landing-d51329d7 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |url-access=limited}} Reports indicated that search-and-rescue teams were expected to reach the site of the crash by 20:00.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/19/israel-gaza-war-live-people-killed-in-strike-nuseirat-refugee-camp-gaza |title=The dispatched rescue teams will reach the probable coordinates of president Raisi's helicopter within half an hour, state media is reporting. |date=19 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |access-date=19 May 2024 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519175307/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/19/israel-gaza-war-live-people-killed-in-strike-nuseirat-refugee-camp-gaza |url-status=live}} By 20:39, Iranian forces were near the site of the crash.{{Cite news |last1=Makoii |first1=Akhtar |last2=Abrahams |first2=Jessica |last3=Smith |first3=Benedict |last4=Zagon |first4=Chanel |name-list-style=and |date=19 May 2024 |title=Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi 'missing' after helicopter makes hard landing |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/19/helicopter-carrying-iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-hard-land/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519150754/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/19/helicopter-carrying-iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-hard-land/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=19 May 2024 |work=The Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}} Forty rescue teams from the Iranian Red Crescent Society, along with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), were sent to the area of the crash.{{Cite web |last1=Radford |first1=Antoinette |last2=Andone |first2=Dakin |last3=Shen |first3=Michelle |last4=Almasy |first4=Steve |last5=Meyer |first5=Matt |name-list-style=and |date=19 May 2024 |title=Live updates: Iranian President Raisi involved in helicopter crash |url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/raisi-iran-president-helicopter-crash/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519161815/https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/raisi-iran-president-helicopter-crash/index.html |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=19 May 2024 |website=CNN}}
Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, announced that the European Union would activate the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, providing rapid response satellite mapping, by Iran's request,{{Cite news |date=19 May 2024 |title=Reactions to the crash of the Iranian president's helicopter |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/reactions-crash-iranian-presidents-helicopter-2024-05-19/ |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite tweet |number=1792240959180120305 |user=JanezLenarcic |title=Upon Iranian request for assistance we are activating the EU's @CopernicusEMS rapid response 📡 mapping service in view of to the helicopter accident reportedly carrying the President of #Iran and its foreign minister. #EUSolidarity |author=Janez Lenarčič |author-link=Janez Lenarčič |access-date=19 May 2024}} drawing criticism from some European politicians and journalists for appearing sympathetic toward the Iranian regime.{{Cite web |last=Kamenarič |first=Kaya |date=20 May 2024 |title=Plaz kritik na Lenarčičevo solidarnost z Iranom in zahteva po izbrisu objave |trans-title=An avalanche of criticism on Lenarčič's solidarity with Iran and a demand to delete the post |url=https://www.24ur.com/novice/tujina/lenarcic-tarca-kritik-zaradi-solidarnosti-eu-ob-nesreci-raisijevega-helikopterja.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524090113/https://www.24ur.com/novice/tujina/lenarcic-tarca-kritik-zaradi-solidarnosti-eu-ob-nesreci-raisijevega-helikopterja.html%23comments |archive-date=24 May 2024 |website=24UR |language=sl |agency=Slovenian Press Agency}}{{Cite web |last=Paternoster |first=Tamsin |date=20 May 2024 |title=Scorn and sympathy: EU politicians divided over death of Iranian President Raisi |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/05/20/scorn-and-sympathy-eu-politicians-divided-over-death-of-iranian-president-raisi |access-date=24 May 2024 |website=Euronews |quote=Independent MEP Rob Roos called the expression of solidarity by the EU "an insult to the oppressed Iranian people." Swedish Democrat Charlie Weimers also criticised the actions of Copernicus, saying, "European taxpayer money should in no way be used to support the terrorist regime in Tehran." Several others, including MEP Assita Kanko from the New Flemish Alliance, said they were "shocked" by the EU's expressions of solidarity. |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521201645/https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/05/20/scorn-and-sympathy-eu-politicians-divided-over-death-of-iranian-president-raisi |url-status=live}} Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Qatar, Turkey, and Russia offered to help in the search.{{cite news |date=19 May 2024 |title=Turkey's Erdogan offers Iran 'all necessary support' in Raisi search |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/05/19/turkey-s-erdogan-offers-iran-all-necessary-support-in-raisi-search |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519230427/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/05/19/turkey-s-erdogan-offers-iran-all-necessary-support-in-raisi-search |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=19 May 2024 |work=Al Arabiya |agency=AFP}}{{Cite tweet |number=1792232381354479693 |user=MFAofArmenia |title=Shocked by the news coming from #Iran. Our thoughts & prayers are w/President Raisi, Minister @Amirabdolahian & all others reported to be at the site. As rescue operations continue, #Armenia, as a close & friendly neighbor of Iran, is ready to provide all necessary support. @IRIMFA_EN |author=Ministry of Foreign Affairs Armenia |author-link=Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Armenia) |access-date=19 May 2024}}{{Cite web |date=19 May 2024 |title=Russia ready to help: Foreign ministry |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/5/19/iran-helicopter-accident-live-president-fm-on-missing-aircraft?update=2911875 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519230420/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/5/19/iran-helicopter-accident-live-president-fm-on-missing-aircraft?update=2911875 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=19 May 2024 |website=Al Jazeera}} Russia sent two airplanes, search and rescue helicopters and around 50 personnel to aid in the rescue mission.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7gak5Nvddw |title=Russia Sends 50 Professional Mountain Rescuers To Search For Iran's President After Helicopter Crash |date=19 May 2024 |publisher=Forbes |access-date=22 May 2024 |via=YouTube |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522210956/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7gak5Nvddw |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/amp/1908840/ |title=اعزام دو فروند هواپیمای پیشرفته و بالگردهای ویژه روسیه به تبریز – خبرآنلاین |website=khabaronline.ir |access-date=21 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520040042/https://www.khabaronline.ir/amp/1908840/ |url-status=live}} The United States Department of State said on 20 May that it had turned down, "largely for logistical reasons", a rare request for assistance from the Iranian government in the immediate aftermath of the crash to find Raisi's helicopter.{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Phil |last2=Ali |first2=Idrees |last3=Pamuk |first3=Humeyra |last4=Psaledakis |first4=Daphne |last5=Brunnstrom |first5=David |last6=Mohammed |first6=Arshad |editor-last=Maler |editor-first=Sandra |title=US says it was 'unable' to provide Iran assistance after helicopter crash |publisher=Reuters |date=21 May 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us-says-it-was-unable-provide-iran-assistance-after-helicopter-cash-2024-05-20}}{{Cite news |date=20 May 2024 |title=US says Iran sought help over president crash |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240520-us-says-iran-sought-help-over-president-crash |access-date=25 May 2024 |work=France 24 |agency=Agence France-Presse}}
Iran requested a night vision search and rescue helicopter from Turkey, according to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency.{{Cite tweet |user=ragipsoylu |number=1792262124753883183 |title=Iran requested a night vision search and rescue helicopter from Turkey, says Turkish disaster management agency AFAD}} Coordinates from a Turkish Bayraktar Akıncı UAV showed the crash site being located on a steep mountain slope {{Convert|20|km|mi}} south of the Azerbaijan–Iran border.{{Cite news |date=19 May 2024 |title=Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi confirmed dead in helicopter crash |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/20/rescuers-say-no-sign-of-life-as-wrecked-helicopter-of-irans-raisi-found |access-date=19 May 2024 |work=Al Jazeera |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520075621/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/20/rescuers-say-no-sign-of-life-as-wrecked-helicopter-of-irans-raisi-found |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkiye-s-akinci-uav-identifies-source-of-heat-suspected-to-be-crash-site-of-iranian-president-s-helicopter/3224277 |title=Türkiye's Akinci UAV identifies source of heat suspected to be crash site of Iranian president's helicopter |work=Anadolu Agency |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=25 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520065447/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkiye-s-akinci-uav-identifies-source-of-heat-suspected-to-be-crash-site-of-iranian-president-s-helicopter/3224277 |url-status=live}} The UAV sent by Turkey was unarmed following a request by Iran.{{cite news |date=21 May 2024 |title=Baykar Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Bayraktar: AKINCI, vadilerin arasında manevra yaparak uçmak durumunda kaldı |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/baykar-yonetim-kurulu-baskani-bayraktar-akinci-vadilerin-arasinda-manevra-yaparak-ucmak-durumunda-kaldi/3226037 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521135359/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/baykar-yonetim-kurulu-baskani-bayraktar-akinci-vadilerin-arasinda-manevra-yaparak-ucmak-durumunda-kaldi/3226037 |archive-date=21 May 2024 |access-date=21 May 2024 |language=tr |agency=Anadolu Agency}} Iran later denied that the Turkish drone found the site and instead claimed that the site was only discovered after Iranian drones with Synthetic Aperture radar were recalled from the Indian Ocean to search the crash site.{{cite news |title=Iran's Armed Forces downplay role of Turkish drone in finding President's crash site |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-armed-forces-downplay-role-turkish-drone-finding-presidents-crash-site-2024-05-22/ |date=22 May 2024 |work=Reuters |access-date=25 May 2024}} Iranian media was also critical of Turkey for flying the drone over sensitive sites and drawing the Turkish flag's crescent and star on its flight path during its return.{{cite news |last1=آنلاین |first1=اطلاعات |title=اقدامات غیرحرفهای پهپاد ترکیه چه بود؟ |url=https://ettelaat.com/fa/news/44403/اقدامات-غیرحرفه-ای-پهپاد-ترکیه-چه-بود |access-date=24 May 2024 |work=Ettela'at |date=24 May 2024 |language=fa |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524021231/https://ettelaat.com/fa/news/44403/اقدامات-غیرحرفه-ای-پهپاد-ترکیه-چه-بود |url-status=live}}
A few hours later after the crash, IRIB reported the helicopter had been found,{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/19/israel-gaza-war-live-people-killed-in-strike-nuseirat-refugee-camp-gaza |title=Crashed helicopter found by search teams, state TV reports |date=19 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |access-date=19 May 2024 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519230417/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/19/israel-gaza-war-live-people-killed-in-strike-nuseirat-refugee-camp-gaza |url-status=live}} and that there was "no sign of life" at the crash scene, which was situated at an altitude of {{convert|2200|m}}. Except its tail, the helicopter burned completely following impact.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/20/iran-helicopter-crash-live-updates-ebrahim-raisi-iranian-president-search-and-rescue-middle-east-crisis-latest-news |work=The Guardian |date=20 May 2024 |first=Patrick |last=Wintour |title='No sign of life' at crash site, state TV says |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520050505/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/20/iran-helicopter-crash-live-updates-ebrahim-raisi-iranian-president-search-and-rescue-middle-east-crisis-latest-news |url-status=live}}
On 20 May, search operations concluded with the recovery of the bodies,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwwql21747o |work=BBC |date=20 May 2024 |first=Michael |last=Sheils McNamee |title=Iran declares five days of mourning for president |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520171420/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwwql21747o |url-status=live}} which were transported to Tabriz. Many of the bodies were found in a charred condition, but did not require forensic identification.{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240520-death-in-the-fog-the-grim-search-for-raisi-s-helicopter |work=France 24 |date=20 May 2024 |title=Death in the fog: the grim search for Raisi's helicopter |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520145637/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240520-death-in-the-fog-the-grim-search-for-raisi-s-helicopter |url-status=live}}
Investigation
The Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces assumed responsibility for investigating the cause of the crash.{{Cite news |first=John |last=Gambrell |date=21 May 2024 |title=Mourners begin days of funerals for Iran's president and others killed in helicopter crash |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-raisi-helicopter-crash-funerals-7bb445b5885fdf0ac8616820bf7f59f6 |access-date=24 May 2024 |work=Associated Press |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521132219/https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-raisi-helicopter-crash-funerals-7bb445b5885fdf0ac8616820bf7f59f6 |url-status=live}} Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, whose country includes Iran in its area of responsibility for emergency response, said they had not found a signal from the helicopter upon hearing news of its crash, which suggested that the aircraft either did not have its transponder turned on or did not have such a system. A preliminary report released by the Iranian military on 23 May found that the helicopter had "caught fire after hitting an elevated area". It also said it had not found evidence of foul play.{{Cite news |date=24 May 2024 |title=Iran army finds no sign of foul play so far in Raisi helicopter crash |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/24/iran-army-finds-no-sign-of-foul-play-so-far-in-raisi-helicopter-crash |access-date=24 May 2024 |work=Al Jazeera |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524131614/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/24/iran-army-finds-no-sign-of-foul-play-so-far-in-raisi-helicopter-crash |url-status=live}} On 1 September, the Supreme Board of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran concluded in its
final report that the accident was primarily the result of poor challenging atmospheric and climatic weather conditions, including thick fog.{{Cite news |date=1 September 2024 |title=Helicopter of Iran's late president Raisi crashed due to weather, final report says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/helicopter-irans-late-president-raisi-crashed-due-complicated-weather-conditions-2024-09-01/ |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=Reuters }}{{Cite news |date=1 September 2024 |title=Helicopter crash that killed Iran's president was caused by climatic conditions, report finds |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-helicopter-crash-ebrahim-raisi-report-investigation-0115c92ccc145c7817c697b832b724d5 |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=Associated Press }}
Aftermath
File:Farewell to Ebrahim Raisi (2024-05-22).jpg, 22 May 2024]]
Raisi was the second president of Iran to have died in office, following Mohammad-Ali Rajai, who was killed in a bombing in 1981. The presidential line of succession begins with Mohammad Mokhber, the first vice president. On 20 May, the cabinet said that the government would continue to operate "without the slightest disruption". That same day, Mokhber was formally designated as acting president by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, while Ali Bagheri was appointed as acting foreign minister. If power is transferred to the vice president in this way, Iranian law states that a new presidential election must be called within six months.{{Cite news |last=Fassihi |first=Farnaz |date=20 May 2024 |title=President Raisi Is Dead, Iranian Media Reports |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/19/world/iran-president-crash |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520032705/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/19/world/iran-president-crash |url-status=live}} Authorities subsequently set the election date for 28 June.{{Cite web |title=Iran to hold presidential elections on June 28 after Raisi's death |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/05/20/iran-to-hold-presidential-elections-on-june-28-after-raisi-s-death |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Al Arabiya |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520205132/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/05/20/iran-to-hold-presidential-elections-on-june-28-after-raisi-s-death |url-status=live}}
While the search was still underway, Khamenei asked the nation for its prayers and said: "The nation doesn't need to be worried or anxious as the administration of the country will not be disrupted at all."{{cite web |date=19 May 2024 |title=Nation doesn't need to be worried or anxious as administration of country will not be disrupted at all |url=https://english.khamenei.ir/news/10786/Nation-doesn-t-need-to-be-worried-or-anxious-as-administration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520050507/https://english.khamenei.ir/news/10786/Nation-doesn-t-need-to-be-worried-or-anxious-as-administration |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=khamenei.ir}}{{Cite news |last1=Badshah |first1=Nadeem |last2=Lowe |first2=Yohannes |last3=Murray |first3=Jessica |date=19 May 2024 |title=Helicopter carrying Iran's president crashes in mountains, official says – Middle East live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/19/israel-gaza-war-live-people-killed-in-strike-nuseirat-refugee-camp-gaza |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519175307/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/19/israel-gaza-war-live-people-killed-in-strike-nuseirat-refugee-camp-gaza#pinned-post |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=19 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} The government cancelled a cabinet meeting and instead convened an emergency meeting,{{Cite news |last=Fassihi |first=Farnaz |date=19 May 2024 |title=The Iranian government has canceled a planned cabinet meeting and convened an emergency meeting with the country's crisis management committee, state media reported. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/19/world/iran-president-helicopter-crash/9aaafb39-ae46-51c6-b52c-b0d21f63a26b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519175151/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/19/world/iran-president-helicopter-crash/9aaafb39-ae46-51c6-b52c-b0d21f63a26b |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=19 May 2024 |work=The New York Times}} during which Raisi's chair was left empty and draped with a black sash.{{Cite news |date=20 May 2024 |title=Iran's President Raisi killed in a helicopter crash: What we know so far |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/19/president-raisis-helicopter-crashed-in-iran-what-we-know-so-far |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=Al Jazeera |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519220737/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/19/president-raisis-helicopter-crashed-in-iran-what-we-know-so-far |url-status=live}} Senior officials of the Supreme National Security Council travelled to Tabriz.{{Cite news |last=Fassihi |first=Farnaz |date=19 May 2024 |title=Members of Iran's Supreme National Security Committee and senior officials from the government have traveled to Tabriz, the closest major city to the site of the accident, state media reported. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/19/world/iran-president-helicopter-crash/585d34b1-50a4-5000-8362-5158ee9075ec |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519175157/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/19/world/iran-president-helicopter-crash/585d34b1-50a4-5000-8362-5158ee9075ec |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=19 May 2024 |work=The New York Times}}
= Funerals =
The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance ordered the suspension of cultural events and venues as well as all activities relating to Cultural Heritage Week, which coincided with the mourning period, for seven days beginning 20 May.{{Cite news |date=22 May 2024 |title=Iran's Khamenei leads prayers at Raisi memorial before tens of thousands |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/22/irans-khamenei-leads-prayers-at-raisi-memorial-before-tens-of-thousands |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Al Jazeera |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522122826/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/22/irans-khamenei-leads-prayers-at-raisi-memorial-before-tens-of-thousands |url-status=live}} Government offices and private businesses were ordered to close 22 May to coincide with the funerals for the victims.{{Cite news |date=21 May 2024 |title=Iran announces five days of mourning after President Raisi's death |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/20/iran-declares-five-days-of-mourning-after-president-raisis-death |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=Al Jazeera |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521133817/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/20/iran-declares-five-days-of-mourning-after-president-raisis-death |url-status=live}}
Funerals for the victims began on 21 May in Tabriz; a procession of the remains, carried on a lorry, was attended by crowds estimated to be in the tens of thousands who were then addressed by Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi.{{Cite news |date=21 May 2024 |first=Emma |last=Harrison |title=Thousands at Iran president's funeral procession |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cxwwydey489o |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=BBC |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521160618/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cxwwydey489o |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=21 May 2024 |title=Thousands mourn Iran's Raisi in Tabriz procession after helicopter crash |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/21/funeral-ceremony-for-irans-raisi-in-tabriz-after-helicopter-crash |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=Al Jazeera |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521081909/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/21/funeral-ceremony-for-irans-raisi-in-tabriz-after-helicopter-crash |url-status=live}}
The remains were then taken to Tehran and transported to Qom before being returned to Tehran University for another funeral ceremony on 22 May presided by Khamenei and attended by Mokhber and foreign dignitaries. The dignitaries included Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who spoke at the event, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov,{{cite news |title=Azerbaijani officials attend late Iranian president's funeral |url=https://news.az/news/-azerbaijani-officials-attend-late-iranian-presidents-funeral--updated-- |access-date=30 May 2024 |work=news.az |date=22 May 2024}} Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Tunisian President Kais Saied, as well as delegates from 60 other countries including Belarus, China, India, Russia, Serbia, and Turkey.{{Cite news |date=22 May 2024 |title=Thousands bid farewell to Iran's Raisi ahead of burial |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240523-iran-s-raisi-to-be-laid-to-rest-in-home-town |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=France 24 |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523065736/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240523-iran-s-raisi-to-be-laid-to-rest-in-home-town |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Funeral for Raisi, others killed in helicopter crash held in Tehran |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240523_03/ |access-date=22 May 2024 |website=NHK World |quote=Dignitaries from many nations, mainly neighboring countries, including the prime ministers of Syria and Iraq, attended the funeral. [...] From China, with which Iran is deepening ties to counter the West, Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing attended. From Russia, lower house Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin took part. |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522215118/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240523_03/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=22 May 2024 |title=Iran's supreme leader and proxy militias pray for late president and others dead in helicopter crash |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-raisi-helicopter-crash-funerals-2a66914de4e15c5033fcd688cf262275 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522082858/https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-raisi-helicopter-crash-funerals-2a66914de4e15c5033fcd688cf262275 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Associated Press}} No representatives from European Union member states attended the funeral. Other than Khamenei, none of Iran's living former presidents (Mohammad Khatami, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Hassan Rouhani) were seen at the event. After the ceremony, the remains were transported on a semi-truck on a procession to Azadi Square, during which chants of "Death to America" were heard.{{Cite news |date=22 May 2024 |first1=Matt |last1=Murphy |first2=Lucy |last2=Clarke-Billings |title=Iran's supreme leader leads prayers at Raisi funeral |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7223epn3jdo |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=BBC |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522083738/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7223epn3jdo |url-status=live}} Tens of thousands were estimated to have been in attendance for the funeral service in Tehran,{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/iran-funeral-tehran-president-raisi-killed-helicopter-crash-rcna153426 |title=Iran's supreme leader leads tens of thousands at funeral for president killed in helicopter crash |first=Yuliya |last=Talmazan |work=NBC News |date=22 May 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522122828/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/iran-funeral-tehran-president-raisi-killed-helicopter-crash-rcna153426 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240522-funeral-processions-for-iran-president-to-be-held-in-tehran |title=Tens of thousands gather for Raisi funeral procession in Tehran |work=France 24 |date=22 May 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522122828/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240522-funeral-processions-for-iran-president-to-be-held-in-tehran |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/22/tens-of-thousands-fill-streets-of-tehran-for-iranian-president-ebrahim-raisi-funeral |title=Tens of thousands fill streets of Tehran for Iranian president's funeral |first=Patrick |last=Wintour |work=The Guardian |date=22 May 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524121332/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/22/tens-of-thousands-fill-streets-of-tehran-for-iranian-president-ebrahim-raisi-funeral |url-status=live}} and hundreds of thousands were estimated to have followed the procession down Tehran's main boulevard. Attendance at the funeral was noticeably lower than that of IRGC general Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
Raisi's remains were taken to Birjand on 23 May before being transported to his hometown in Mashhad, where Raisi was buried the same day at the Imam Reza shrine.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-raisi-helicopter-crash-funerals-aa975288bab8a63af93c8c5f9a31a615 |title=Iran inters its late president at holiest Shiite site in nation after fatal helicopter crash |first=Jon |last=Gambrell |work=Associated Press |date=23 May 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024 |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523084703/https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-raisi-helicopter-crash-funerals-aa975288bab8a63af93c8c5f9a31a615 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-president-raisi-be-buried-mashhad-2024-05-23/ |title=Iran's Raisi buried in Mashhad as mourners pack Iranian holy city |work=Reuters |date=23 May 2024 |access-date=23 May 2024}}{{efn|Raisi died on Imam Reza's birthday, 11 Dhu al-Qadah (Islamic calendar).{{cite web |url=https://www.islamicfinder.org/islamic-date-converter/ |title=Hijri to Gregorian Date Converter – Islamic Date Converter |access-date=23 May 2024 |archive-date=30 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930183900/https://www.islamicfinder.org/islamic-date-converter/ |url-status=live}}}} Turnout for the burial was estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands. Amir-Abdollahian's burial also took place the same day at the Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine in Ray.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg66l42ngnro |title=Iran buries late president at shrine in home city of Mashhad |first=David |last=Gritten |work=BBC News |date=23 May 2024 |access-date=23 May 2024 |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523150504/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg66l42ngnro |url-status=live}}
Reactions
= Domestic =
Reactions among Iranians were mixed. Before the confirmation of Raisi's death, prayers for him were held in cities across the country, which were aired by state-run television.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1BUJE-SSmA&t=88s |title=Iran president Ebrahim Raisi dead in helicopter crash |date=20 May 2024 |publisher=Channel 4 News |access-date=22 May 2024 |quote=Broadcast reaction to Raisi's death was mixed, to put it mildly, and fell into two categories. At one end of the emotional extreme, regime supporters mourning his death featured heavily on Iranian television today [...] On the other end, celebratory videos like this went viral. |via=YouTube |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522082928/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1BUJE-SSmA&t=88s |url-status=live}} At the same time, videos of people in Iran setting off celebratory fireworks began circulating on social media, while others danced, played music, or honked car horns in solidarity with those celebrating. Images were posted to social media showing people killed and injured during the crackdown on the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests under Raisi's presidency.{{Cite news |last=Kalbasi |first=Bahman |date=21 May 2024 |title=How Iranians reacted to president's helicopter crash |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1rrnppp5lno |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521100450/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1rrnppp5lno |archive-date=21 May 2024 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=BBC}} Police in Tehran warned that anyone who appeared publicly happy about Raisi's death would be prosecuted.
Following confirmation of Raisi's death, Khamenei declared five days of national mourning. Hundreds gathered in Vali-e-Asr square in mourning for the president. At a meeting of the Assembly of Experts on 21 May, a flower-ringed portrait of Raisi was placed on his seat. Former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blamed the United States for the crash, saying in an interview that the latter's embargo on the sale of aircraft and aviation parts to Iran "will be recorded in the list of U.S. crimes against the Iranian people".
Maryam Rajavi, the leader of the exiled dissident People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, said that Raisi's legacy was marked by his role in the 1988 executions of Iranian political prisoners, and predicted this "monumental and irreparable strategic blow to the mullahs' Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the entire regime" would trigger "a series of repercussions and crises" within its leadership.{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=Exiled opposition group says Raisi death 'monumental blow' to Iran |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240520-exiled-opposition-group-says-raisi-death-monumental-blow-to-iran |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520102253/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240520-exiled-opposition-group-says-raisi-death-monumental-blow-to-iran |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=France 24 |agency=AFP News}} Taghi Rahmani, the husband of detained activist Narges Mohammadi, said Raisi's death would not structurally change the system.{{Cite news |last=Parent |first=Deepa |date=20 May 2024 |title='People are in no mood to mourn': mixed reactions in Tehran after death of President Ebrahim Raisi |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/may/20/people-are-in-no-mood-to-mourn-mixed-reactions-in-tehran-after-death-of-president-ebrahim-raisi |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520205135/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/may/20/people-are-in-no-mood-to-mourn-mixed-reactions-in-tehran-after-death-of-president-ebrahim-raisi |url-status=live}} Some in the Iranian diaspora celebrated happily and others took to social media to express dissatisfaction with Iran's government.{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=How is the Iranian diaspora responding to President Raisi's death? |url=https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/how-is-the-iranian-diaspora-responding-to-president-raisis-death-18164458 |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=TRT World |quote=In North America, swathes of Iran's diaspora took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the Iranian government. [...] "Raisi's demise will thrill many Iranians. However, the depth of the tragedy lies in the fact that Iranians can envision no future other than (a) disaster for their depleted & exhausted nation," he wrote on X. Other analysts in the diaspora are even more cynical, like Karim Sadjadpour. |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523215201/https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/how-is-the-iranian-diaspora-responding-to-president-raisis-death-18164458 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Lawless |first=Jill |date=22 May 2024 |title=From London to Los Angeles, many Iranians overseas cheer, and fear, after president's death |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-diaspora-raisi-death-reaction-c2d29d9bb3cc4dfde25d00f29bc7685c |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Associated Press |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522071652/https://apnews.com/article/iran-diaspora-raisi-death-reaction-c2d29d9bb3cc4dfde25d00f29bc7685c |url-status=live}}
= Foreign =
File:Turkish flag half mast following the death of Ebrahim Raisi.jpg following the declaration of national mourning, Istanbul, Turkey]]
During the search efforts, well-wishes or offers of support came from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,{{cite tweet |user=presidentaz |title=Today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran |number=1792228739494850637 |date=19 May 2024}} Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel,{{cite tweet |number=1792270086851395749 |user=DiazCanelB |title=Consternados por las noticias, expresamos al Líder Supremo Ayatolá Ali Khamenei y al querido pueblo de la República Islámica de Irán |date=19 May 2024 |language=es |trans-title=Dismayed by the news, we express to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the dear people of the Islamic Republic of Iran}} Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,{{Cite tweet |number=1792242768468758626 |user=narendramodi |title=Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi's helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage. |author=Narendra Modi |author-link=Narendra Modi |access-date=19 May 2024}} Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu,{{cite web |date=19 May 2024 |title=The President expresses concern over helicopter incident involving the President of Iran and senior delegation |url=https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/30746 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520051634/https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/30746 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=19 May 2024 |website=The President's Office}} Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,{{Cite tweet |number=1792228265379377470 |user=CMShehbaz |title=Heard the distressing news from Iran regarding Hon. President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter. Waiting with great anxiety for good news that all is well. Our prayers and best wishes are with Hon. President Raisi and the entire Iranian nation. |author=Shehbaz Sharif |author-link=Shehbaz Sharif |date= |access-date=19 May 2024}} Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,{{cite news |last=Balkiz |first=Karya Naz |title=Türkiye monitoring helicopter crash involving Iranian president |url=https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/turkiye-monitoring-helicopter-crash-involving-iranian-president-18164169 |access-date=19 May 2024 |work=TRT World |date=19 May 2024 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519230420/https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/turkiye-monitoring-helicopter-crash-involving-iranian-president-18164169 |url-status=live}} United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the Iraqi government, and the foreign ministries of Afghanistan,{{Cite tweet | |title=وزارت امور خارجۀ امارت اسلامی افغانستان گزارشهایی پیرآمون سرنوشت هلیکوپتر جلالتمآب ابراهیم رئیسی رئیسجمهوری اسلامی ایران |trans-title=The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is following the fate of the helicopter of His Excellency Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran |user=mofa_afg |number=1792233668779319602 |language=fa |access-date=19 May 2024}} Jordan,{{cite web |url=https://jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-follows-great-concern-reports-about-iranian-presidents-plane-incident |title=Jordan follows with great concern reports about Iranian president's plane incident |website=Jordan Times |date=19 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520205157/https://jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-follows-great-concern-reports-about-iranian-presidents-plane-incident |url-status=live}} Kuwait, Oman,{{cite web |url=https://www.fm.gov.om/oman-expresses-solidarity-with-iran-and-stands-ready-provide-help-and-support/ |title=Oman expresses solidarity with Iran and stands ready to provide help and support |work=Foreign Ministry of Oman |date=19 May 2024 |access-date=29 May 2024 |archive-date=1 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601025507/https://www.fm.gov.om/oman-expresses-solidarity-with-iran-and-stands-ready-provide-help-and-support/ |url-status=live}} Qatar, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
Following the confirmation of the deaths of Raisi and the other passengers, officials of many countries and international organizations extended their condolences and sympathies.{{efn|Afghan Acting Prime Minister Hasan Akhund,{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/reactions-death-irans-president-helicopter-crash-2024-05-20/ |title=Reactions to the death of Iran's president in a helicopter crash |website=Reuters |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520120334/https://www.reuters.com/world/reactions-death-irans-president-helicopter-crash-2024-05-20/ |url-status=live}} Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune,{{Cite news |title=Le président de la République présente ses condoléances suite au décès du président iranien Ebrahim Raissi |url=https://www.aps.dz/algerie/171031-le-president-de-la-republique-presente-ses-condoleances-suite-au-deces-du-president-iranien-ebrahim-raissi |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=Algérie Presse Service |language=fr |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520205136/https://www.aps.dz/algerie/171031-le-president-de-la-republique-presente-ses-condoleances-suite-au-deces-du-president-iranien-ebrahim-raissi |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Roundup: Mideast countries offer condolences over deaths of Iranian president, FM |url=https://english.news.cn/20240521/9fd7ca23ef42482191e6db58d9eb53c1/c.html |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Xinhua News Agency |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520205653/https://english.news.cn/20240521/9fd7ca23ef42482191e6db58d9eb53c1/c.html |url-status=live}} Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan,{{cite web |url=https://en.aravot.am/2024/05/20/347760/ |title=Pashinyan sends condolence message: "The Republic of Armenia and its people stand by our good friend and neighboring state and people in this difficult period for the Islamic Republic of Iran" |website=Aravot.am |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520172535/https://en.aravot.am/2024/05/20/347760/ |url-status=live}} Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,{{cite web |title=To His Holiness Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran |url=https://president.az/en/articles/view/65906 |website=Official web-site of President of Azerbaijan Republic |access-date=20 May 2024 |date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520172419/https://president.az/en/articles/view/65906 |url-status=live}} Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin{{Cite news |agency=United News of Bangladesh |date=20 May 2024 |title=President Shahabuddin expresses shock over death of Iranian President, FM in helicopter crash |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/president-shahabuddin-expresses-shock-over-death-iranian-president-fm-helicopter-crash |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=The Business Standard |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520172544/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/president-shahabuddin-expresses-shock-over-death-iranian-president-fm-helicopter-crash |url-status=live}} and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,{{Cite news |agency=Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha |date=20 May 2024 |title=Hasina mourns the death of Iranian President Raisi |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/world/iran/news/hasina-mourns-death-iran-president-raisi-3614546 |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=The Daily Star |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520173512/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/world/iran/news/hasina-mourns-death-iran-president-raisi-3614546 |url-status=live}} Bosnian Presidency member Željko Komšić,{{cite web |url=https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/komsic-uputio-telegram-saucesca-povodom-pogibije-raisija-i-abdollahiana/240520130 |title=Komšić uputio telegram saučešća povodom pogibije Raisija i Abdollahiana |trans-title=Neighbor sends a telegram of condolences on the deaths of Raisi and Abdollahian |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=26 May 2024 |language=hr |author=B.H. |work=Klix |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520211400/https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/komsic-uputio-telegram-saucesca-povodom-pogibije-raisija-i-abdollahiana/240520130 |url-status=live}} Interim Burkinabè President Ibrahim Traoré,{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/Presidence.bf/posts/pfbid02mUFFzkbgcnufDdWfknPdJATZpUdzGAFc4UZrvydmMLrQyMQSmKVhNHtL8w6XRiwnl |title=It is with sadness that I learned of the disappearance of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.. |date=20 May 2024 |publisher=Présidence du Faso |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520205718/https://www.facebook.com/Presidence.bf/posts/pfbid02mUFFzkbgcnufDdWfknPdJATZpUdzGAFc4UZrvydmMLrQyMQSmKVhNHtL8w6XRiwnl |url-status=live}} Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah,{{Cite web |url=https://www.mfa.gov.bn/Lists/Press%20Room/news.aspx?id=1112 |title=Message of Condolences to His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the Passing of His Excellency the President and the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran |work=Bruneian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |access-date=26 May 2024 |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524194844/https://www.mfa.gov.bn/Lists/Press%20Room/news.aspx?id=1112 |url-status=live}} Chinese President Xi Jinping, Comorian President Azali Assoumani,{{Cite tweet |user=PR_AZALI |first=Azali |last=Assoumani |author-link=Azali Assoumani |number=1792541607922643076 |date=20 May 2024 |title=C'est avec une immense tristesse que j'ai appris le décès du président iranien Ebrahim Raïssi. Je présente en mon nom et en celui de l'ensemble du peuple comorien, mes sincères condoléances. Puisse Allah l'accueillir dans son royaume Eternel. |trans-title=It is with immense sadness that I learned of the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raïssi. I present, on my own behalf and that of all the Comorian people, my sincere condolences. May Allah welcome him into his Eternal Kingdom. |language=fr |access-date=29 May 2024}} Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi,{{Cite tweet |user=Presidence_RDC |number=1792562487264436510 |title=President Tshisekedi sends his condolences to the Iranian people ..}} Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel,{{Cite web |title=Cuba lamenta fallecimiento de presidente iraní en accidente aéreo |url=https://www.radiohc.cu/noticias/nacionales/355123-cuba-lamenta-fallecimiento-de-presidente-irani-en-accidente-aereo |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Radio Havana Cuba |language=es |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520173526/https://www.radiohc.cu/noticias/nacionales/355123-cuba-lamenta-fallecimiento-de-presidente-irani-en-accidente-aereo |url-status=live}} Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi,{{cite web |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/egypt-s-sisi-expresses-great-sadness-and-grief-after-raisi-death-d49cce71 |title=Egypt's Sisi Expresses 'Great Sadness And Grief' After Raisi Death |website=Barron's |agency=Agence France Presse |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520174200/https://www.barrons.com/news/egypt-s-sisi-expresses-great-sadness-and-grief-after-raisi-death-d49cce71 |url-status=live}} Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki,{{cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=President Isaias Afwerki has extended his deepest condolences to Mr. Mohammad Mokhber, the Interim President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.. |url=https://www.facebook.com/moieritrea/posts/pfbid0LRkfbjAQa47xhmijfEutTcznFqbcmXTmuRYcUNp7ySMcpHYTZn8nzrK5hiPc9CU8l |access-date=20 May 2024 |website= |publisher=Ministry of Information, Eritrea |via=Facebook |quote= |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520205741/https://www.facebook.com/moieritrea/posts/pfbid0LRkfbjAQa47xhmijfEutTcznFqbcmXTmuRYcUNp7ySMcpHYTZn8nzrK5hiPc9CU8l |url-status=live}} Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, European Council President Charles Michel, EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell,{{cite news |title=World reacts to the death of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/20/world-reacts-to-the-death-of-irans-president-ebrahim-raisi |work=Al Jazeera |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520174052/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/20/world-reacts-to-the-death-of-irans-president-ebrahim-raisi |url-status=live}} Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, African Union Commission President Moussa Faki, the French foreign ministry,{{Cite web |title=Iran – Death of President Ebrahim Raisi (20 May 2024) |url=https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/iran/news/article/iran-death-of-president-ebrahim-raisi-20-may-2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |website=France Diplomacy – Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522082901/https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/iran/news/article/iran-death-of-president-ebrahim-raisi-20-may-2024 |url-status=live}} Gambian President Adama Barrow,{{Cite tweet |user=BarrowPresident |number=1792515237108654456 |title=On behalf of Gambians and the Islamic Ummah OIC, I join the Islamic Republic of Iran to mourn the tragic death of H.E Ebrahim Raisi..}} Bissau-Guinean President Umaro Sissoco Embaló,{{Cite tweet |user=USEmbalo |first=Umaro Sissoco |last=Embaló |author-link=Umaro Sissoco Embaló |number=1792489613866459517 |title=Au nom de la Guinée-Bissau, je présente mes sincères condoléances et ma compassion au Guide suprême SE Ali Khamenei, au gouvernement et au peuple frère d'Iran, pour le décès de SE le Président Ibrahim Raisi, et de SE le Dr Hussein A.Abdullahian. Que leurs âmes reposent en paix. |trans-title=On behalf of Guinea-Bissau, I extend my sincere condolences and compassion to the Supreme Leader HE Ali Khamenei, the government and the brotherly people of Iran, on the death of HE President Ibrahim Raisi, and HE Dr. Hussein A.Abdullahian. May their souls rest in peace. |language=fr |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=29 May 2024}} Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,{{cite web |url=https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2024/05/20/world-leaders-offer-condolences-following-death-of-iran-s-ebrahim-raisi |title=World leaders offer condolences following death of Iran's Ebrahim Raisi |website=Gulf Today |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521090552/https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2024/05/20/world-leaders-offer-condolences-following-death-of-iran-s-ebrahim-raisi |url-status=live}} Indonesian President Joko Widodo,{{Cite web |url=https://setkab.go.id/en/president-jokowi-conveys-condolences-over-the-death-of-iranian-president-ebrahim-raisi/ |title=President Jokowi Conveys Condolences over the Death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi |date=21 May 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024 |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524174814/https://setkab.go.id/en/president-jokowi-conveys-condolences-over-the-death-of-iranian-president-ebrahim-raisi/ |url-status=live}} Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani,{{cite web |url=https://ina.iq/eng/32819-prime-minister-condolences-the-iranian-government-and-its-people-on-the-death-of-raisi-and-his-companions.html |title=Prime Minister Extends Condolences to Iranian Government and People on the death of Raisi and Companions |website=INA |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520174155/https://ina.iq/eng/32819-prime-minister-condolences-the-iranian-government-and-its-people-on-the-death-of-raisi-and-his-companions.html |url-status=live}} Italian President Sergio Mattarella,{{cite news |title=Mattarella, Meloni express Italy's solidarity with Iran |url=https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2024/05/20/mattarella-meloni-express-italys-solidarity-with-iran_bd425781-7c87-4e20-a492-1324750d3b3f.html |work=Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520174602/https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2024/05/20/mattarella-meloni-express-italys-solidarity-with-iran_bd425781-7c87-4e20-a492-1324750d3b3f.html |url-status=live}} Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi, Jordanian King Abdullah II,{{cite web |url=https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/en/regional/695561/jordan-king-we-stand-in-solidarity-with-the-brothe |title=Jordan King: We stand in solidarity with the brothers in Iran during this difficult time |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520174732/https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/en/regional/695561/jordan-king-we-stand-in-solidarity-with-the-brothe |url-status=live}} Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah,{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=Kuwait PM offers condolences on Iranian Pres. death |url=https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3152811&Language=en |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Kuwait News Agency |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520174616/https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3152811&Language=en |url-status=live}} Kenyan President William Ruto,{{Cite tweet |user=WilliamsRuto |first=William |last=Ruto |author-link=William Ruto |number=1792479579539374467 |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=29 May 2024 |title=In light of the tragic news of the passing of H.E. Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Foreign Minister, H.E. Hossein Abdollahian and his entourage of senior officials through a helicopter crash, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the people of Iran at this challenging time. President Raisi was a fearless leader and a dedicated public servant with a long and distinguished career in public service. He was a firm leader committed to the causes that he believed in and sought to elevate Iran's standing on the global stage. Kenya and the Republic of Iran share cordial relations signified by the fact that in his first-ever trip to the African Continent as President, H.E. Ebrahim Raisi chose Kenya as his first destination. As we condole with the people of Iran, we commend Allah's mercy and comfort to the people of Iran.}} Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith,{{cite web |title=President sends condolence message to Iran's Supreme Leader |website=kpl.gov.la |date=19 May 2024 |url=https://kpl.gov.la/En/detail.aspx?id=82801 |access-date=24 May 2024 |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524174815/https://kpl.gov.la/En/detail.aspx?id=82801 |url-status=live}} Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri,{{cite web |url=https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/305317-mikati-declares-mourning-over-raisi-s-death-as-lebanese-parties-react |title=Mikati declares mourning over Raisi's death as Lebanese parties react |website=Naharnet |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520174742/https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/305317-mikati-declares-mourning-over-raisi-s-death-as-lebanese-parties-react |url-status=live}} Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh,{{Cite tweet |first=Abdulhamid |last=al-Dbeibah |author-link=Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah |user=Dabaibahamid |number=1792472513160634753 |title=Sincere condolences to the Iranian people and their leadership on the death of الرئيس_الإيراني}} Liswati Prime Minister Russell Dlamini,{{Cite tweet |user=RussellMDlamini |first=Russell Mmiso |last=Dlamini |author-link=Russell Dlamini |number=1792600353495535830 |title=We have learnt with sadness of the tragic passing of Islamic Republic of Iran President H.E Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister H.E Hossein Amirabdollahian and six others in a helicopter crash that took place in the Northwestern side of Iran this morning. |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=29 May 2024}} Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina,{{Cite tweet |user=SE_Rajoelina |first=Andry |last=Rajoelina |author-link=Andry Rajoelina |number=1792489231660601457 |title=Our thoughts are with the Iranian people..}} Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu,{{cite web |title=The President extends condolences following the demise of Iranian President H.E. Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H.E. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian |url=https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/30752 |website=The President's Office |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520082117/https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/30752 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=The President orders national flag flown at half-mast for three days following the passing of Iran's distinguished President, H.E. Dr Ebrahim Raisi |url=https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/30749 |website=The President's Office |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520081747/https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/30749 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |url-status=live}} the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs,{{Cite tweet |user=Marocdiplo_EN |author=Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates |author-link=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates |number=1792555814135156809 |title=the Kingdom of Morocco offers its sincere condolences to the Iranian people and the families of the victims.}} Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba,{{Cite tweet |user=DrNangoloMbumba |number=1792470275973410834 |title=I have learned with profound sadness about the tragic passing of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran..}} Nigerian President Bola Tinubu,{{Cite tweet |user=NGRPresident |number=1792521520436203565 |title=President Tinubu Condoles With Iran Over Passing of President Raisi}} Nigerien Head of state Abdourahamane Tchiani,{{Cite tweet |user=NIGER_CNSP |number=1792799831406137426 |title=The President of the CNSP presents his condolences to the Iranian Government and people.}} North Korean leader Kim Jong Un,{{Cite news |date=21 May 2024 |title=North Korea leader Kim Jong Un sends condolence message to Iran, KCNA says |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/north-korea-leader-kim-jong-un-sends-condolence-message-to-iran-kcna-says/articleshow/110282785.cms |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522082859/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/north-korea-leader-kim-jong-un-sends-condolence-message-to-iran-kcna-says/articleshow/110282785.cms |url-status=live}} Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik,{{cite web |url=https://www.fm.gov.om/his-majesty-mourns-iranian-president/ |title=His Majesty mourns Iranian President |work=Foreign Ministry of Oman |date=20 May 2024}} OPEC secretary general Haitham al-Ghais, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=World leaders, terrorist organizations express condolences over Raisi's death |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-801834 |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520174641/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-801834 |url-status=live}} Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Philippine President Bongbong Marcos,{{cite news |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/05/20/2356611/marcos-expresses-condolences-death-iranian-president-raisi |title=Marcos expresses condolences for death of Iranian President Raisi |newspaper=The Philippine Star |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521230717/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/05/20/2356611/marcos-expresses-condolences-death-iranian-president-raisi |url-status=live}} Polish President Andrzej Duda,{{cite news |title=Polish President Andrzej Duda expresses condolences after Iranian air crash |url=https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7784/Artykul/3380909,polish-president-andrzej-duda-expresses-condolences-after-iranian-air-crash |work=Polskie Radio |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520175235/https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7784/Artykul/3380909,polish-president-andrzej-duda-expresses-condolences-after-iranian-air-crash |url-status=live}} Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro,{{cite tweet |number=1792501118410400228 |user=LMontenegropm |title=On behalf of the Portuguese Government and on my own behalf, I express my heartfelt condolences to the Iranian people and to the families of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Abdollahian, who lost their lives in this weekend's tragic accident. |date=20 May 2024 |language= |trans-title=}} Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,{{cite web |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/saudi-arabia-offers-condolences-to-iran-over-raisi-s-death-5f90191d |title=Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences To Iran Over Raisi's Death |website=Barron's |agency=Agence France Presse |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520175141/https://www.barrons.com/news/saudi-arabia-offers-condolences-to-iran-over-raisi-s-death-5f90191d |url-status=live}} Sahrawi President Brahim Ghali,{{cite web |url=https://www.spsrasd.info/en/2024/05/20/3577.html |title=President of Republic offers condolences to Vice President of Iran on passing of President Ebrahim Raisi |date=20 May 2024 |work=Sahara Press Service |access-date=21 May 2024 |quote= |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521144314/https://www.spsrasd.info/en/2024/05/20/3577.html |url-status=live}} Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye,{{Cite tweet |user=PR_Diomaye |number=1792515122709041663 |title=I learned, with deep sadness, of the tragic death of President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi ..}} Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe,{{cite web |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2024/05/20/sri-lankan-leaders-express-condolence-over-tragic-demise-of-iranian-president-raisi/ |title=Sri Lankan leaders express condolence over tragic demise of Iranian President Raisi |website=Newswire |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520205656/https://www.newswire.lk/2024/05/20/sri-lankan-leaders-express-condolence-over-tragic-demise-of-iranian-president-raisi/ |url-status=live}} Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam,{{cite web |url=https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Statements-Transcripts-and-Photos/2024/05/20240521-Condolence-Letter-to-Iran |title=Condolence Letter on the Passing of President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi |access-date=24 May 2024 |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524010107/https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Statements-Transcripts-and-Photos/2024/05/20240521-Condolence-Letter-to-Iran |url-status=live}} Somali Government,{{Cite tweet |user=TheVillaSomalia |number=1792474565240664101 |title=The Somali Government expresses its profound sympathy and condolences..}} South African President Cyril Ramaphosa,{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=Condolences for the People of Iran Following Air Disaster |url=https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/condolences-people-iran-following-air-disaster |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=South African Government News Agency |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520210151/https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/condolences-people-iran-following-air-disaster |url-status=live}} Sudanese military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad,{{cite web |url=https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=331144 |title=President al-Assad in a message of condolence to leader of the revolution and government of Iran: We express deep regret and sympathy for the painful incident and great loss |website=SANA |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520180411/https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=331144 |url-status=live}} Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan,{{Cite tweet |user=SuluhuSamia |number=1792549993124954297 |title=On behalf of the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania, I wish to convey our deepest condolences..}} the Thai Government,{{Cite web |url=https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/statement21524-2?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c306000683e |title=Statement regarding the loss of President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, among other high-level officials |access-date=24 May 2024 |archive-date=25 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525091628/https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/statement21524-2?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c306000683e |url-status=live}} Tunisian President Kais Saied,{{cite web |url=https://www.ifm.tn/fr/article/english-news/tunisia-offers-condolences-on-the-death-of-the-iranian-president/81360 |title=Tunisia Offers Condolences on the Death of the Iranian President |publisher=Radio IFM |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520235747/https://www.ifm.tn/fr/article/english-news/tunisia-offers-condolences-on-the-death-of-the-iranian-president/81360 |url-status=live}} Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,{{cite web |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/erdogan-sends-condolences-to-iran-over-death-of-raisi-others |title=Erdoğan sends condolences to Iran over death of Raisi, others |website=Daily Sabah |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520180252/https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/erdogan-sends-condolences-to-iran-over-death-of-raisi-others |url-status=live}} UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,{{cite web |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/05/20/iran-world-reacts-to-death-of-raisi_6672029_4.html |title=Iran: World reacts to death of Raisi |website=Le Monde |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520180412/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/05/20/iran-world-reacts-to-death-of-raisi_6672029_4.html |url-status=live}} the U.S. Department of State,{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Matthew |author-link=Matthew Miller (spokesperson) |date=20 May 2024 |title=On the Death of Iranian President Raisi and Others in a Helicopter Crash |url=https://www.state.gov/on-the-death-of-iranian-president-raisi-and-others-in-a-helicopter-crash/ |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=U.S. Department of State |quote=The United States expresses its official condolences for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and other members of their delegation in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran. As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms. |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520190320/https://www.state.gov/on-the-death-of-iranian-president-raisi-and-others-in-a-helicopter-crash/ |url-status=live}} Pope Francis, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro,{{cite tweet |user=NicolasMaduro |title=Estoy consternado ante la dura noticia sobre la sensible pérdida física del Presidente de la República Islámica de Irán, Ebrahim Raisi |trans-title=I am shocked by the hard news about the sensitive physical loss of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi |number=1792415835782295592 |language=es |date=20 May 2024}} and Vietnamese Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.{{Cite news |url=https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/politics/20240521/vietnam-offers-condolences-to-iran-over-helicopter-crash-that-killed-president-ebrahim-raisi/79979.html |title=Vietnam offers condolences to Iran over helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi |date=21 May 2024 |website=Tuoi Tre News |access-date=24 May 2024 |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524175426/https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/politics/20240521/vietnam-offers-condolences-to-iran-over-helicopter-crash-that-killed-president-ebrahim-raisi/79979.html |url-status=live}}}} Days of mourning were declared in Bangladesh,{{Cite news |date=21 May 2024 |title=Raisi's death: Bangladesh announces national mourning on Thursday |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/bangladesh-govt-announces-mourning-thursday-following-death-iranian-president-raisi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522000029/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/bangladesh-govt-announces-mourning-thursday-following-death-iranian-president-raisi |archive-date=22 May 2024 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Business Standard}} Cuba,{{Cite web |date=21 May 2024 |title=Cuba decreta duelo oficial por la muerte del presidente de Irán |trans-title=Cuba decrees official mourning for the death of the President of Iran |url=https://www.lostiempos.com/actualidad/mundo/20240521/cuba-decreta-duelo-oficial-muerte-del-presidente-iran |access-date=22 May 2024 |website=Los Tiempos |language=es |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522082900/https://www.lostiempos.com/actualidad/mundo/20240521/cuba-decreta-duelo-oficial-muerte-del-presidente-iran |url-status=live}} India,{{Cite news |last1=Bhattacherjee |first1=Kallol |last2=Haidar |first2=Suhasini |date=20 May 2024 |title=India to observe state mourning on May 21 for President Raisi's death |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-observe-state-mourning-on-tuesday-for-president-raisis-death/article68197401.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520210148/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-observe-state-mourning-on-tuesday-for-president-raisis-death/article68197401.ece |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=The Hindu |issn=0971-751X}} Lebanon,{{Cite news |date=24 May 2024 |title=Between Lebanon and Iran, a mixed reception to Iranian president's death |url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1414941/between-lebanon-and-iran-a-mixed-reception-to-iranian-presidents-death.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524210636/https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1414941/between-lebanon-and-iran-a-mixed-reception-to-iranian-presidents-death.html |archive-date=24 May 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024 |work=L'Orient Today |quote=In Lebanon, a three-day national mourning period was declared on Monday by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Lebanese flags were flown at half-mast over public buildings, while "the usual radio and TV programs [were] adapted to the circumstances." Iran's Supreme Leader thanked Lebanon for its condolences and for the three days of "national mourning."}} Pakistan, Sri Lanka,{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=Sri Lanka declares day of mourning after Iranian President Raisi's death |url=https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=99345 |website=Ada Derana |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=19 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119205430/http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=99345 |url-status=live}} Syria,{{Cite web |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=20 May 2024 |title=Worry in Damascus, joy in rebel areas at Raisi's death |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/05/worry-damascus-joy-rebel-areas-raisis-death |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524210637/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/05/worry-damascus-joy-rebel-areas-raisis-death |archive-date=24 May 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024 |website=Al-Monitor |quote=The dramatic events have dominated conversations in Damascus, where flags flew at half-mast at official buildings and the government has declared three days of mourning.}} Tajikistan,{{Cite web |date=21 May 2024 |title=Eight countries declare mourning over Iranian President's death |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1137545/ |website=Armenpress |publication-place=Armenia |quote=Earlier it was reported that Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and Syria declared mourning. India, Tajikistan and Turkey also joined these countries. One-day mourning has been declared in most countries, only in Syria and Lebanon it will last three days, and in Tajikistan – two days. |access-date=26 May 2024 |archive-date=25 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525095529/https://www.armenpress.am/eng/news/1137545/ |url-status=live}} Thailand,{{Cite news |date=21 May 2024 |title=Flags at half-mast for late Iranian president |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2796877/flags-at-half-mast-for-late-iranian-president |work=Bangkok Post |access-date=26 May 2024 |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524045114/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2796877/flags-at-half-mast-for-late-iranian-president |url-status=live}} and Turkey.{{cite news |url=https://www.dunya.com/gundem/son-dakika-erdogan-acikladi-reisi-icin-bir-gunluk-milli-yas-ilan-ediyoruz-haberi-727990 |title=Erdoğan açıkladı: Reisi için bir günlük milli yas ilan ediyoruz |work=Dünya |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520174406/https://www.dunya.com/gundem/son-dakika-erdogan-acikladi-reisi-icin-bir-gunluk-milli-yas-ilan-ediyoruz-haberi-727990 |url-status=live}} The United Nations Security Council stood for a minute's silence for Raisi.{{Cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Daniel |last2=Barnes |first2=Joe |date=21 May 2024 |title=Ministers refuse to use tribute to Iranian president drawn up by Foreign Office staff |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/21/british-un-security-council-ebrahim-raisi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521115521/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/21/british-un-security-council-ebrahim-raisi/ |archive-date=21 May 2024 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}
Several Islamist militant organisations backed by Iran expressed their condolences. Mohammed al-Houthi, Houthi Yemen's Interior Minister, expressed condolences to the Iranian people, leadership, and families of the dead.{{Cite web |last=Farhat |first=Beatrice |date=20 May 2024 |title=From China to Houthis, leaders and groups react to death of Iran's Raisi |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/05/china-houthis-leaders-and-groups-react-death-irans-raisi |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=Al-Monitor |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520165353/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/05/china-houthis-leaders-and-groups-react-death-irans-raisi |url-status=live}} Hamas mourned the loss of an "honourable supporter" in a statement.{{Cite web |title=Hamas Mourns Raisi Death, Hails His 'Support For Palestinian Resistance' |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/hamas-mourns-raisi-death-hails-his-support-for-palestinian-resistance-35ef019e |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520181305/https://www.barrons.com/news/hamas-mourns-raisi-death-hails-his-support-for-palestinian-resistance-35ef019e |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=Barron's |agency=Agence France Presse |date=20 May 2024}} Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh attended his funeral in Tehran.{{Cite web |last1=Gadzo |first1=Mersiha |last2=Stepansky |first2=Joseph |date=22 May 2024 |title=Hamas's Haniyeh attends Raisi's funeral in Tehran |url=https://aje.io/679c23?update=2917599 |work=Al Jazeera |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524121332/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/5/22/israels-war-on-gaza-live-famine-fears-rise-as-aid-failure-escalates?update=2917599 |url-status=live}} Hezbollah also mourned Raisi, describing him as a protector of the Axis of Resistance.{{Cite web |title=Hezbollah Mourns Iran's Raisi As 'Protector Of The Resistance' |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/hezbollah-mourns-iran-s-raisi-as-protector-of-the-resistance-3c2ec033 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520130218/https://www.barrons.com/news/hezbollah-mourns-iran-s-raisi-as-protector-of-the-resistance-3c2ec033 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Barron's}}
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed hope that a future Iranian government would "commit itself to the stabilisation and pacification of the region". Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said he did not feel comfortable sending condolences to Iran because of its provision of military aid for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite news |last=Watling |first=Tom |date=21 May 2024 |title=Thousands turn out to mourn Iran's President Raisi as others celebrate his death |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-raisi-funeral-helicopter-crash-b2548813.html |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=The Independent |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521180449/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-raisi-funeral-helicopter-crash-b2548813.html |url-status=live}} British Minister of State for Security Tom Tugendhat said that he "will not mourn" Raisi, adding that his "regime has murdered thousands at home, and targeted people here in Britain and across Europe".{{Cite news |last=Wintour |first=Patrick |date=20 May 2024 |title=No signal from helicopter that crashed killing Iran's president, Turkish minister says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/20/no-signal-from-helicopter-that-crashed-killing-irans-president-turkish-minister-says |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520192120/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/20/no-signal-from-helicopter-that-crashed-killing-irans-president-turkish-minister-says |url-status=live}} United States National Security Council spokesman John Kirby described Raisi as "a man who had a lot of blood on his hands".{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=Iran President Had 'Lot Of Blood On His Hands': White House |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/iran-president-had-lot-of-blood-on-his-hands-white-house-de874d6e |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520210218/https://www.barrons.com/news/iran-president-had-lot-of-blood-on-his-hands-white-house-de874d6e |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Barron's |agency=Agence France-Presse}}
A post on X by European Council President Charles Michel of condolences to Iran was criticised by members of the European Parliament Charlie Weimers, Nathalie Loiseau, and Hannah Neumann,{{Cite news |last=Crisp |first=James |date=24 May 2024 |title=EU chief criticised by MEPs for offering 'sincere condolences' to Iran |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/20/eu-under-fire-solidarity-hashtag-iran-ebrahim-raisi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524041527/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/20/eu-under-fire-solidarity-hashtag-iran-ebrahim-raisi/ |archive-date=24 May 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}} and also several Dutch House of Representatives members, for not mentioning Tehran's human rights abuses.{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=Politici Nederland en VS verdeeld over condoleances aan Iran na dood president |trans-title=Politicians in the Netherlands and the US divided over condolences to Iran after the death of the president |url=https://www.nu.nl/buitenland/6313630/politici-nederland-en-vs-verdeeld-over-condoleances-aan-iran-na-dood-president.html |access-date=25 May 2024 |website=NU.nl |language=nl |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521121519/https://www.nu.nl/buitenland/6313630/politici-nederland-en-vs-verdeeld-over-condoleances-aan-iran-na-dood-president.html |url-status=live}} Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon drew similar criticism from opposition leaders Matej Tonin, Romana Tomc and Janez Janša{{Cite web |date=23 May 2024 |title=Fajonova: Izraz sožalja je del diplomatske prakse. Tonin ji očita dvoličnost |trans-title=Fajonova: the expression of condolences is part of diplomatic practice. Tonin accuses her of duplicity |url=https://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/iran.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524063602/https://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/iran.html%23comments |archive-date=24 May 2024 |website=24UR |language=sl}} after she expressed condolences to the Iranian people in a KAN News interview and said it was a time to mourn.{{Cite web |date=22 May 2024 |title=Opozicija obtožuje Fajon, da sramoti državo, kritike tudi iz diplomatskih vrst |trans-title=The opposition accuses Fajon of dishonoring the country, critics also from diplomatic ranks |url=https://n1info.si/novice/slovenija/opozicija-obtozuje-fajon-da-sramoti-drzavo-kritike-tudi-iz-diplomatskih-vrst/ |access-date=24 May 2024 |website=N1 |language=sl |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524121334/https://n1info.si/novice/slovenija/opozicija-obtozuje-fajon-da-sramoti-drzavo-kritike-tudi-iz-diplomatskih-vrst/ |url-status=live}}
The U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin denied U.S. involvement, stating that "the United States had no part to play in that crash".{{citation |title=Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. Hold an On-Camera Press Conference |publisher=US Department of Defense |date=20 May 2024 |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3782082/secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-of-sta/ |access-date=24 May 2024 |archive-date=25 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525091644/https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3782082/secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-of-sta/ |url-status=live}} An Israeli official, who requested anonymity, provided a similar comment to Reuters, saying "It wasn't us". Although there was no official reaction from the government, Israeli opposition politician Avigdor Lieberman said it was unlikely to affect Iranian policy toward Israel, adding that "we won't shed a tear" over Raisi's death.{{Cite web |last1=Hafezi |first1=Parisa |last2=Mohamed |first2=Yomna |date=20 May 2024 |title=Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, hardline ally of Khamenei, killed in helicopter crash |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hopes-fade-wreckage-found-helicopter-carrying-iranian-president-raisi-2024-05-20/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520151134/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hopes-fade-wreckage-found-helicopter-carrying-iranian-president-raisi-2024-05-20/ |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=Official says Israel not involved in Raisi helicopter crash; Liberman: We won't shed a tear |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/official-says-israel-not-involved-in-raisi-helicopter-crash-liberman-we-wont-shed-a-tear/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520181420/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/official-says-israel-not-involved-in-raisi-helicopter-crash-liberman-we-wont-shed-a-tear/ |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=The Times of Israel}} Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan criticised the United Nations Security Council for holding a minute's silence out of respect for Raisi on 20 May, calling it a "disgrace".{{Cite web |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/un-security-council-observes-minute-of-silence-for-raisi-b0073cac |title=UN Security Council Observes Minute Of Silence For Raisi |date=20 May 2024 |work=Barron's |agency=Agence France Presse |access-date=21 May 2024 |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521063135/https://www.barrons.com/news/un-security-council-observes-minute-of-silence-for-raisi-b0073cac |url-status=live}} A tribute for Raisi at the UN General Assembly on 30 May was boycotted by the United States and several European countries, while 45 incumbent and former U.N. officials, experts, diplomats and judges sent a joint letter to Secretary-General António Guterres protesting the decision over Raisi's involvement in human rights abuses. Around 100 people also protested against Raisi outside UN Headquarters in New York City while the ceremony was taking place.{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/un-tribute-raisi-protests-us-european-african-4ee6fc6fa7b7860de95eccd25fab746e |title=UN tribute to Iran's late President Raisi marred by protests and European and US snubs |date=30 May 2024 |work=Associated Press |access-date=31 May 2024}}
Amnesty International said that Raisi's death must not deny victims of his human rights abuses their right to accountability.{{Cite web |date=22 May 2024 |title=Iran: President Raisi's death must not deny victims of his grim human rights legacy their right to accountability |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/05/iran-president-raisis-death-must-not-deny-victims-of-his-grim-human-rights-legacy-their-right-to-accountability/ |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=Amnesty International |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523085605/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/05/iran-president-raisis-death-must-not-deny-victims-of-his-grim-human-rights-legacy-their-right-to-accountability/ |url-status=live}}
On 24 May, clashes broke out between supporters of the Iranian regime and anti-government protesters during an event to mark Raisi's death in the suburb of Wembley in London, resulting in four injuries and one arrest.{{Cite web |date=25 May 2024 |title=4 hurt, 1 arrested after clashes between Iranian government supporters and opponents in London |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-clashes-london-raisi-a968ef545a727fbe034650c04d2f53dd |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=Associated Press |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526070304/https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-clashes-london-raisi-a968ef545a727fbe034650c04d2f53dd |url-status=live}}
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
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