Numerous Arab countries expressed their condolences following the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a helicopter crash.
Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, writing on X, expressed “his sincere condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Egypt and Jordan expressed their solidarity with the Iranians.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II said his “deepest condolences go out to the brothers, leadership, government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the death of brother President Ebrahim Raisi.”
Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Iran, offered condolences for “this painful incident and the resulting great loss.”
The government in Baghdad also expressed its condolences.
Lebanon, in turn, has declared a three-day mourning period.
Sad words also came from Iranian-funded and supported militias in the region.
Hezbollah in Lebanon said Raisi was a strong supporter and “a fervent advocate of our goals, especially in Jerusalem and Palestine.”
Similar words came from the Houthis in Yemen. Raisi’s death was “a loss not only for Iran, but for the entire Islamic nation, Palestine and Gaza,” a spokesperson said on X.
Iran maintains its military influence in the region mainly through the support of militias and political movements. The Syrian government is directly linked to Iran.
Hezbollah and the Houthis are part of the so-called ‘Axis of Resistance’ that Iran has set up against arch-enemy Israel.
