Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared five days of mourning following the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.
In an official statement, Khamenei expressed his sorrow: “I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” he said, reflecting on the loss of Raisi and other officials in the East Azerbaijan province crash.
Across the border, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also honored Raisi’s memory by declaring a national day of mourning. “Pakistan will observe a day of mourning, with the flag flying at half-mast to respect President Raisi and his companions, showing solidarity with Brotherly Iran,” Sharif posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Sharif extended heartfelt condolences to the Iranian nation, saying, “I, along with the government and people of Pakistan, extend our deepest sympathies on this terrible loss. The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with their customary courage.”
Raisi had recently visited Islamabad in April, aiming to strengthen ties between the neighboring countries following a period of tension marked by deadly strikes.