A number of the world's most authoritarian leaders sent their condolences to Iranian authorities following the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash.
Bashar al-Assad and Vladimir Putin, good friends of the Iranians
A number of the world's most authoritarian leaders sent their condolences to Iranian authorities following the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash.
The responses highlight the strong ties between Iran and several influential regimes.
Leaders from Russia, China and North Korea were among the first to praise the deceased Iranian officials. Their statements were filled with high regard for Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian, underscoring the strategic alliances these countries share with Iran.
Russia and China, both significant players on the global stage, commended the leadership and vision of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian. These nations have long-standing partnerships with Iran, often united in their opposition to Western influence and sanctions.
North Korea, known for its reclusive and autocratic governance, also joined in mourning. The regime's message reflected the mutual understanding and cooperation that have characterized its relationship with Iran over the years.
Regional and Proxy Responses
The Houthis in Yemen, a group backed by Iran in their conflict against the Saudi-led coalition, described Raisi’s death as a "loss for the Muslim world." This sentiment was echoed by other Iranian-supported entities.
Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, both of which receive financial and military support from Iran, expressed their grief. Their statements highlighted the strategic and ideological bonds that connect these organizations to Tehran.
South Africa’s response was notably poignant, calling the deaths an "extraordinary, unimaginable tragedy." The statement underscored the "remarkable leadership" of Raisi and acknowledged the robust bilateral relations between Iran and South Africa.
By Philippe Destoth
The U.S. Treasury Department announced fresh sanctions on Wednesday on over 115 Iran-linked individuals, entities and vessels, in a sign the Trump administration is doubling down on its "maximum pressure" campaign after bombing Tehran's key nuclear sites in June.
Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Wednesday that calls for the Iran-aligned militant group's disarmament served only Israel, as the United States ramps up pressure for steps to remove its arsenal.
During a high-level conference in New York centered on the renewed global push for the recognition of a Palestinian state, Egypt surprised many observers by issuing a clear and firm call for the disarmament of Hamas, the militant organization that rules the Gaza Strip and is widely held responsible for the ongoing conflict with Israel.
To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.