‘Iran Lost A Valuable Servant’: Leader Sends Condolence Message Following Demise of President

IQNA – The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has issued a message of condolence following a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Iran’s president and foreign minister.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei opened the message by quoting verse 156 of Surah Baqarah which reads: “Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him do we indeed return.”

“It was with profound sorrow and regret that I received the tragic news of the martyrdom-like passing of the devoted scholar and popular president, servant of Imam Reza (AS) Hojjat-​​al-Islam Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, and his esteemed companions,” “This unfortunate event occurred while they were in service. The entire tenure of this noble and selfless individual, both during his brief presidency and prior to that, was entirely dedicated to ceaseless efforts in serving the people, the country, and Islam,” he added.

The incident happened in the Dizmar forest, nestled between the cities of Varzaqan and Jolfa in East Azerbaijan on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams located the wreckage of the helicopter in the wee hours of Monday morning.

“Our dear Raisi was tireless,” stressed the leader.

“In this tragic event, the Iranian nation lost a genuine and valuable servant. His priority was the welfare and satisfaction of the people, which he believed reflected God’s satisfaction,” he said.

Despite the ingratitude and taunts from some ill-wishers, he was not deterred from working day and night to improve affairs, he added.

He also described Hojjat-​​al-Islam Al-Hashem as a “popular and trusted” Friday prayer leader of Tabriz, lauded “committed and active” Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and praised the “revolutionary and devout” Tabriz governor, who also lost their lives along with the flight crew during the crash.

“I declare five days of public mourning and extend my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” he said.

“As per Article 131 of the Constitution, Mr. Mokhbar is now responsible for managing the executive branch and is required to coordinate with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to elect a new president within a maximum of fifty days,” added the Leader.

“Finally, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Mr. Raisi’s dear mother, his honorable wife, and family and the respected families of his companions,” he concluded.

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