Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed shock and extended his condolences on Monday over the sudden death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.
The helicopter, carrying President Raisi, the foreign minister, and other officials, crashed in a foggy, mountainous region of northwest Iran. All occupants were pronounced dead after an hours-long search.
Read: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Feared Dead in Helicopter Crash
The premier’s message on X (formerly Twitter) extended his “deepest condolences and sympathies” to the Iranian nation.
“The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage,” the statement added.
PM Shehbaz said he was “hoping for good news” regarding the reported crash landing of President Raisi’s helicopter. “Alas, this was not to be,” he lamented.
Iranian state agencies confirmed the president’s death earlier today. The helicopter, carrying nine people, crashed into a mountain in heavy fog while returning from the Iran-Azerbaijan border, Iranian officials said.
While grieving President Raisi’s loss, the premier also reminisced about Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian’s recent visit to Pakistan last month.
PM Shehbaz added that the country will mourn the great loss by hoisting the flag at half-mast and observing a day of mourning.
