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Iraqi, Kurdish officials offer condolences to Iran

Amr Al Housni

May. 21, 2024 • 4 min read
Image of Iraqi, Kurdish officials offer condolences to Iran Men hang a huge portrait of Iran's late president Ebrahim Raisi outside the Iranian embassy in Baghdad on May 20, 2024, during a condolences service for the president and his entourage, who were killed in a helicopter crash in Iran the previous day. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)

Iraqi and Kurdish leaders conveyed condolences to Iran for the helicopter crash that killed President Raisi and officials, expressing sympathy and declaring a day of mourning in Iraq as Iran prepares for elections within 50 days.

Iraq Kurdistan Region Iran Ebrahim Raisi helicopter crash Sudani Masrour Barzani Nechirvan Barzani Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Iraqi and Kurdish leaders on Monday offered condolences to Iran after a helicopter crash on Sunday claimed the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several high-ranking officials, including Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian.

Iraqi president Abdul Latif Rashid, extended condolences via X platform on Monday, expressing “deepest sorrow on the tragic death of Iranian President Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage in a helicopter crash resulting from poor weather conditions.”

“In this time of sorrow, we are saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Iran's leadership and the Iranian people,” he stated.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani conveyed his condolences to Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Iranian people through a statement from his office.

“With deep sorrow and profound grief, we received the news of the passing of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Ebrahim Raisi, and Foreign Minister Mr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, along with their companions, in the tragic plane crash in northern Iran,” the statement read.

The President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, offered his condolences to Iran Supreme leader Ali Khamenei and the Iranian people through a statement as well.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the helicopter crash that resulted in the loss of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and their companions,” he said.

Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Masrour Barzani extended his condolences and sympathies to Iran and its people through X platform.

“Our deepest condolences and sympathies are with the leadership, government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, the foreign minister and others. In this difficult moment, our thoughts are with the Iranian people,” he said.

The Iraqi government declared a day of mourning across Iraq on Tuesday, for the death of the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions as Iraqi government Spokesperson Basim al-Awadi announced on Monday.

President Raisi was declared dead on Monday morning along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and his accompanying delegation after their helicopter, one of three helicopters carrying the delegation, was reported to have had a hard landing on Sunday.

In light of Raisi’s death, the Iranian constitution dictates that the country holds elections within 50 days.

Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume the presidency in the meantime, and Ali Bagheri was named as replacement to FM Abdollahian on Monday.

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Author Amr Al Housni

Amr Al Housni is a Dubai-based journalist with a focus on reporting news and events across the MENA region.
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