Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a national day of mourning in Pakistan to honor the tragic death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and other senior officials who perished in a helicopter crash.
The announcement was made on Monday following the confirmation of the incident by Iranian Vice President Mohsen Mansouri. The crash, attributed to poor weather conditions, occurred on Sunday in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.
Prime Minister’s Statement
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences and solidarity with Iran in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and the flag will fly at half mast as a mark of respect for President Raisi and his companions and in solidarity with Brotherly Iran,” he said.
Background of the Incident
The helicopter carrying President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian, and other officials crashed while flying through mountainous terrain amid heavy fog. Other officials on board included East Azerbaijan Province’s Governor Malek Rahmati and Mehdi Mousavi, head of Raisi’s guard team. There were no survivors.
International Reactions
The loss of President Raisi and key Iranian officials has prompted reactions from leaders worldwide. Pakistan’s decision to observe a day of mourning underscores the close ties between the two countries and reflects the depth of the tragedy felt across the region.
