World reactions to death of President Raisi

PARIS: Iran´s powerful allies on Monday mourned the death of its President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, while regional militants hailed him as a supporter of the Palestinian cause.

Russia and China called the deceased ultraconservative leader a “friend”, while Iran´s arch-foe Israel has yet to react publicly.

United Nations

Members of the UN Security Council observed a minute´s silence in Raisi´s memory at the request of the current council president, Mozambique Ambassador Pedro Comissario Afonso.

Nato

Nato spokesperson Farah Daklallah on X sent the military alliance´s “condolences to the people of Iran”.

United States

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States “expresses its official condolences” and reaffirmed “our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms”.

China

China´s President Xi Jinping said “the Chinese people have lost a good friend,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a press conference.

European Union

The European Union expressed its “sincere condolences”. EU Council President Charles Michel said in a statement: “Our thoughts go to the families.”

Gulf states

Iran´s Gulf neighbours Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman sent their condolences. Jassem al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), called it a “tragic accident”.

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Raisi as an “outstanding politician” and “a true friend of Russia” in a letter to Iran´s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

France

France sent condolences to Iran and “the families of the victims of this accident,” in a foreign ministry statement.

India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise” of Raisi, adding that “India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.”

Japan

Japan´s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a statement he was “deeply saddened” by Raisi´s passing, recalling his “candid discussions” with Raisi and the two countries´ “friendly relations”.

Turkiye

Turkiye´s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent “sincere condolences to the friendly and fraternal people and government” of Iran in a message on X.

Taliban

Mohammad Hassan Akhund, leader of Afghanistan´s Taliban government, said in a statement: “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and all Afghans are deeply saddened and affected by this tragic event.”

Pope Francis

Pope Francis sent condolences in a telegram addressed to Iran´s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and sent “the assurance of spiritual closeness to the nation at this difficult time”.

Iraq

Iran´s neighbour Iraq announced a day of mourning, the prime minister´s office announced.

African Union

African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” and voiced the AU´s “deep sympathy and solidarity” with Iran.

Brazil

Brazil´s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed “sadness” at the news and sent his “condolences”.

Syria

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a statement expressed solidarity with Tehran, which has backed him during more than a decade of civil war.

Venezuela

President Nicolas Maduro said he was “deeply saddened to have to say goodbye to an exemplary person”.