A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday as a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed in foggy mountainous terrain, sparking concern and offers of support from foreign governments and officials.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan expressed his best wishes for the Iranian people and government, hoping for positive news regarding Raisi and his delegation. Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority also confirmed Iran’s request for a night vision search-and-rescue helicopter.
The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry pledged full support for search and rescue operations, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern for the safety of President Raisi and his entourage.
Other countries, including Kuwait, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the European Commission, also offered assistance and expressed solidarity with Iran during this critical time. The European Commission activated its satellite mapping service to aid in search efforts, while the US State Department and President Joe Biden closely monitored the situation.
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, who bid farewell to President Raisi at Iran’s border with Azerbaijan before the crash, expressed deep concern and offered prayers for Raisi and his delegation. The Iraqi government also extended a helping hand to Iran in the search mission.
As the world watches and waits for updates on this developing situation, the global community stands united in support and solidarity with Iran during this challenging time.