The United States expressed condolences for the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash in Iran’s mountainous northwest. The chopper, carrying officials, vanished in the mountains and crashed due to poor weather conditions.
In a statement, the US State Department offered official condolences and reiterated support for the Iranian people’s struggle for human rights and freedoms amid the selection of a new president. The crash claimed the lives of Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian, and seven others.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mourned Raisi’s death, acknowledging his efforts in strengthening India-Iran bilateral ties. Nine individuals were aboard the helicopter returning from a dam inauguration ceremony with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
Iranian authorities convened an emergency session following the tragic incident. Drone footage showed the wreckage on a steep hillside, indicating slim chances of survival. This marks an unprecedented situation in Iran, with both the president and foreign minister lost in a helicopter crash.
