India Lowers Flag to Half-Mast as Nation Mourns Death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
India is observing a one-day national mourning following the tragic helicopter crash that resulted in the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several other high-ranking officials. The national flag at Rashtrapati Bhavan is flying at half-mast in Delhi on Tuesday as a mark of respect for the deceased. The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi has also lowered its flag to half-mast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the loss of President Raisi in a heartfelt post on the social media platform X, emphasizing Raisi’s role in strengthening India-Iran bilateral relations.
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening the India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” PM Modi wrote. Additionally, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar mourned the deaths of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who perished in the helicopter crash in Iran’s mountainous northwest region.
Global Leaders Offer Condolences
In the wake of the helicopter crash, world leaders have extended their condolences to Iran. Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Khansari also shared a message, expressing his sorrow over the “martyrdom” of his successor, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, along with President Raisi.
Details of the Helicopter Crash
The fatal incident occurred on Sunday in the Dizmar forest in East Azarbaijan Province. The helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and their delegation crashed due to adverse weather conditions as they were returning to Iran from a visit to Azerbaijan. The crash has come at a time when Iran is dealing with internal unrest and facing complex international relations.
Who Was Ebrahim Raisi?
Ebrahim Raisi, known as a hard-line leader, was considered a protégé of Iran’s supreme leader and a potential successor in the country’s Shiite theocracy. Before his presidency, he led Iran’s judiciary and ran unsuccessfully for president in 2017 against Hassan Rouhani, who had brokered the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. In 2021, Raisi won the presidential election with 62% of the vote, although the election saw the lowest voter turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history, with many voters staying home or voiding their ballots.
Also Read : Iran’s President Raisi Dies in Helicopter Crash: State Media Reports
