Saudi King reacts to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's death in helicopter crash
Tehran: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, considered a potential successor to the supreme leader, died in a helicopter crash in northern Iran, state media reported on Monday. He was 63.
The tragic incident occurred amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Last month, under the directive of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Raisi had overseen an unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel, further escalating regional unrest.
Raisi's death has prompted a wave of condolences from leaders around the world. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz expressed his sympathy in a message to the new acting Iranian President Mohammad Mokhber. The Saudi Press Agency quoted King Salman saying, “As we send you and the brotherly people of the Islamic Republic of Iran our deepest and sincere condolences, let us ask God Almighty to cover them with His vast mercy and forgiveness, and to grant them peace. May his soul rest in peace. We belong to God and to Him we shall return.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also extended his condolences following the deaths of Raisi and other Iranian officials in the crash. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sent a cable to Khamenei, expressing "deep regret and condolences" over the incident. Al-Assad described Raisi’s death as a “great loss” and lauded his efforts to strengthen the strategic relations between Syria and Iran. He recalled Raisi’s visit to Syria as a significant milestone in their bilateral ties, praising the visions and ideas he had presented to enhance cooperation between their nations.
Iran has been a steadfast ally of al-Assad’s government since the 2011 uprising in Syria evolved into a full-scale civil war. Iranian support has been crucial in turning the tide of the conflict in favor of al-Assad’s regime.
Ebrahim Raisi’s presidency was marked by his uncompromising stance on political dissent and his loyalty to the principles of the Islamic Republic. The impact of his sudden demise will likely reverberate across the Middle East, affecting geopolitical dynamics at a critical juncture.
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'Unjust' war imposed on Iran should end: Omar
Srinagar (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the "unjust" war imposed on the people of Iran should end and peace should prevail, asserting that the US and Israel do not get to decide the leadership of the country.
He said it is for the people of Iran to decide about their leadership.
"At the end of the day, what we want is peace. We want this unjust war that has been imposed on the people of Iran to stop. As I have said time and again, America and Israel don't get to decide who the leader of Iran is. Israel and the US don't get to decide who the Supreme Leader is," Abdullah told reporters here.
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The chief minister said Iran's assassinated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was not just the leader of Iran, "he was an acknowledged religious leader for the entire Muslim Ummah".
"So, this should not be seen as a conflict with Iran; it has far wider implications," he added.
Abdullah welcomed the Indian ships being allowed to carry fuel through the Strait of Hormuz.
"Anything that allows us to keep our prices low is a good thing, whether that means buying oil from Russia or being able to transport our gas and fuel supplies through the strait, which otherwise is closed for everybody else. It is good for us," he said.
However, he added that while India will benefit from the move, "ultimately we will benefit when peace prevails. And we want this unjust war to end".
