Iran declares 5 days of mourning, after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions, who suffered a plane crash.
The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared 5 days of mourning
Iran, through the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declares 5 days of mourning for the death of the president, Ibrahim Raisi; and officials accompanying him, who suffered a tragic plane accident when they were returning from a visit to Azerbaijan.
“I announce five days of public mourning and express my condolences to all the beloved Iranian people,” said Ayatollah Khamenei.
Similarly, the Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth of Iran, Seyyed Mohamad Shervin Esbaghian, announced the cancellation of all sporting events that were scheduled. In addition, Lebanon’s Cabinet of Ministers decreed three days of national mourning in solidarity with Iran.
In this sense, Khamenei informed the Iranian people that, in accordance with Article 131 of the Iranian Constitution, the first vice president of Iran, Mohamad Mojber, will assume presidential functions until new elections are called, which must be held within a period of time. of 50 days. The organization of these elections will be in charge of a council made up of the heads of the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
The funeral services for President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions will take place on May 21, in the province of Tabriz, in the northwest of Iran, according to the person in charge of political and electoral affairs of the province.
Leaders send condolences to Iran
The presidents of different nations sent messages of condolence and solidarity in the face of the tragic accident suffered by President Raisi and his other companions.
“I express my deepest condolences for the great tragedy that has struck the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the plane crash that claimed the life of President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, as well as other prominent leaders of his country. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi «He was an outstanding politician whose entire life was dedicated to serving his country. He was highly regarded by his compatriots and enjoyed considerable prestige abroad,” reads a statement published by the Russian Government.
Emphasizing that, “as a true friend of Russia, he made an invaluable personal contribution to the development of good-neighborly relations between our countries and made great efforts to bring them to the level of strategic partnership.”
Likewise, the President of China, Xi Jinping, sent his condolences, noting that President Raisi made an important contribution to the security and stability of Iran, by promoting national development and prosperity, and deploying active efforts to consolidate and develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between both nations.
From Latin America, the Government of Nicaragua sent its condolences to the Iranian people, through a letter, which quoted: “We wholeheartedly accompany your pain in these tragic circumstances caused by the physical departure of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, from the governor of East Azerbaijan, brother Malik Rahmati, and the entire delegation that accompanied this top-level delegation that visited the Qiz-Qalasi dam.”
“As always, to all of us our love, prayers and solidarity, present in the sadness in fraternal union, and sure that God our Lord will alleviate this affliction, and the spiritual strength of the Iranian authorities and brothers will make them move forward and continue fighting the necessary battles for justice and peace,” added the written communication from the Nicaraguan State.
Similarly, from Venezuela, the president, Nicolás Maduro, spoke on the matter, through his account in X: “I am dismayed by the harsh news about the sensitive physical loss of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim. Raisi. Cilia, who is a friend of his wife, and I are deeply saddened by having to say goodbye to an exemplary person, an extraordinary leader of the world as our brother Ebrahim is and will always be, an excellent human being, defender of the sovereignty of his people and unconditional friend of our country.”
For its part, the government of Turkey, from a press conference in Pakistan, said “We are shocked by the news from Iran and we share the pain of the brother Iranian people. I convey my condolences to the Iranian people.”
Also, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “They were good friends of Pakistan. Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and will fly flags at half-mast as a sign of respect to President Raisi and in solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran.”
Similarly, the government of Bolivia stated: “From Bolivia we send our deepest condolences to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Government of Iran, the brave Iranian people and the families of the deceased in these moments of deep sorrow. “The Bolivian people are with you in this difficult moment.”
Underlining the… “willingness to work alongside Bolivia to strengthen vital areas such as health, education, agriculture, telecommunications and more, which we value infinitely.”
The accident occurred on May 19, while Raisi and a delegation that accompanied him were returning from a visit to the Qiz-Qalasi dam, in Azerbaijan, when the helicopter in which they were traveling crashed in northwest Iran.
Among the passengers of the helicopter were, in addition to President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the governor of the province of East Azerbaijan, Malik Rahmati; the Imam of the Collective Prayer of Tabriz, Ayatollah Al Hashemi; the head of the presidential protection unit; as well as the pilot, the co-pilot and a technical officer.
