World reacts as Iran President Raisi killed in helicopter crash

The Iranian Red Crescent today announced the recovery of the bodies of President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Hossein Amir Abdollahian as the charred wreckage of the helicopter was found early Monday after an overnight search in blizzard conditions.

Raisi died in a helicopter crash at age 63. The country's foreign minister and seven others were also killed after the crash in a remote, mountainous area of Iran's northwest bordering Azerbaijan.

World leaders, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, today reacted to the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Raisi.

In a condolence message, she said, "I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the sad demise of President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and members of the entourage in the tragic accident of the helicopter carrying them.

"In this hour of grief, on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh and on my own behalf, I convey our deepest condolences to the Government and the brotherly people of Iran."

The premier recalled President Seyyed Raisi as a "wise and selfless leader who served his country with deep commitment and worked for the well-being of the people of Iran".

She said, "He was a great leader of international stature and his exemplary leadership and accomplishments will remain as a lasting legacy for us."

The letter was addressed to Mohammad Mokhber, Iran's first vice president, who earlier confirmed the death of President Raisi in a statement on social media and state television.

Israel has denied having any involvement in the death of Raisi. An Israeli official told Reuters they were not involved in the crash. "It wasn't us," said the official, who requested anonymity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Raisi was an "outstanding politician" whose entire life was devoted to serving the Motherland. "As a true friend of Russia, he made an invaluable personal contribution to the development of good neighbourly relations between our countries and made great efforts to bring them to the level of strategic partnership."

President Xi Jinping called the "tragic death" of Raisi "a great loss to the Iranian people and the Chinese people have lost a good friend", Al Jazeera report citing China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply saddened and shocked" by Raisi's death. 

"His contribution to strengthening the India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow," Modi wrote on X.

Hamas conveyed its "deepest condolences and solidarity to Khamenei, the government and the Iranian people for "this immense loss".

It praised Raisi and Amirabollahian for supporting Palestine against Israel and expressed confidence that Iran's "deep-rooted institutions" will overcome "the repercussions of this great loss".

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared a day of mourning in Pakistan. "May the martyred souls rest in heavenly peace. The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage," Sharif wrote on X.

The US government was yet to issue any statement till filing this report.  

However, US Republican Senator Rick Scott made a post on social media about the helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi calling the world a "safer and better place" without him.

The Florida senator wrote, "If Raisi is dead, the world is now a safer & better place. That evil man was a tyrant & terrorist. He was not loved or respected & he will be missed by no one. If he's gone, I truly hope the Iranian people have the chance to take their country back from murderous dictators."