The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi has lowered its flag to half-mast in response to the tragic deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other senior officials in a helicopter crash.
According to state media Press TV, the helicopter, carrying President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and their delegation, crashed on Sunday in the Dizmar forest between Varzaqan and Jolfa in East Azarbaijan Province.
President Raisi was returning to Iran after a visit to Azerbaijan when the helicopter went down due to adverse weather conditions on Sunday afternoon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Monday, acknowledging Raisi’s efforts in strengthening India-Iran bilateral relations. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also offered his condolences, recalling his meetings with Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian earlier this year.
Following the deaths of the Iranian President and other officials, leaders from around the world have extended their condolences. Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Khansari described the news of the accident as “painful” and expressed his sorrow over the loss of his successor and President Raisi. In an Instagram post, Zarif referred to Amir-Abdollahian as “my dear brother” and wished for peace and patience for the survivors, as well as progress for the Iranian people.
