Reactions From Russian, Chinese, And North Korean Heads Of State To Iranian President Raisi's Death: 'I Will Always Cherish The Fond Memories Of This Wonderful Man'

Following the death on May 19, 2024, in a helicopter crash of the President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, governor-general of East Azerbaijan Malek Rahmati, representative of the Supreme Leader in East Azerbaijan Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the head of the president's security team, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un issued statements.

Putin: "President Raisi's Death Is Truly A Great Loss"

On May 21, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin. During the meeting, Putin said: "[Raisi] was indeed a very reliable partner. Direct, confident and, above all, guided by national interests. He was a man of his word, and it was a pleasure working with him. I mean that whenever we reached an agreement, we could always be certain that it would be honored."

Russian President with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi. (Source: Kremlin.ru, Moscow, December 7, 2023)

Below are excerpts from the meeting:[1]

Vladimir Putin: "I know that you will be departing for Tehran tomorrow morning."

Vyacheslav Volodin: "As per your instructions, I will be flying to Tehran early tomorrow morning to attend the funeral ceremony for President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi. You have given me the authority to represent our country. The President of Iran, who died in a helicopter crash, did a great deal to strengthen relations between our countries. He addressed the State Duma, and when we visited Iran, he met with our deputies. Therefore, it is indeed a huge loss, as you said."

Vladimir Putin: "President Raisi's death is truly a great loss, first of all, for Iran and the Iranian people. Please convey my sincere condolences in connection with this tragedy.

"He was indeed a very reliable partner. Direct, confident and, above all, guided by national interests. He was a man of his word, and it was a pleasure working with him. I mean that whenever we reached an agreement, we could always be certain that it would be honored.

"For our part, we will make every effort to ensure that Russian-Iranian relations continue to develop in the same spirit. Please convey these words to Iran's leadership. And if our colleagues require it, we are ready to do everything we can to provide them with expert support and assistance in determining the true cause of this crash."

Vyacheslav Volodin: "Mr President, I will certainly carry out your instructions. It is clear that the situation is sombre, but as you rightly said, we must stand by our country's partners."

Vladimir Putin: "Thank you."

Putin: "Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi Was An Outstanding Politician Whose Entire Life Was Devoted To Serving His Motherland"

On May 20, 2024, Russian President Putin expressed his "deepest" condolences to Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the death of Raisi.

Below are excerpts from Putin's message:[2]

"Please accept our deepest condolences in connection with the great tragedy that befell the Islamic Republic of Iran – a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and several other prominent government leaders of your country.

"Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi was an outstanding politician whose entire life was devoted to serving his Motherland. He enjoyed the well-deserved respect of his compatriots and high prestige beyond his country. As a true friend of Russia, he made an invaluable personal contribution to the development of good neighbourly relations between our countries and made great efforts to advance them to the level of strategic partnership.

"I have had the privilege of meeting Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi on multiple occasions, and I will always cherish the fond memories of this wonderful man. Please convey my heartfelt condolences and support to the family and friends of the late President, as well as to all those affected by this tragic incident. I extend my wishes for strength to the Iranian people as they navigate through this challenging and irreparable loss."

Xi Jinping: Raisi Made "Important Contributions To Maintaining Iran's Security And Stability"

On May 21, 2024, Chinese official media reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber. In the message, Xi stated that Raisi made "important contributions to maintaining Iran's security and stability and promoting national development and prosperity." Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative Zhang Guoqing was sent to attend the memorial service in Tehran on May 22.[3]

Zhang is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council.

Chinese President Xi Jinping with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (Source: Mfa.gov.cn, Beijing, February 14, 2023)[4]

"Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message of condolence to Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber following the unfortunate death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter accident.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and the people of China, Xi expressed deep condolences and extended sincere sympathies to Mokhber, the family of President Raisi, and the Iranian government and people.

"Xi said that since President Raisi took office, he made important contributions to maintaining Iran's security and stability and promoting national development and prosperity. He added that Raisi also made positive efforts to consolidate and deepen the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.

"Raisi's tragic death is a great loss to the Iranian people, and the Chinese people also lost a good friend, Xi said.

"The Chinese government and Chinese people cherish the traditional friendship between China and Iran, Xi said, noting that with the joint efforts of both sides, the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership will continue to consolidate and develop."

Kim Jong Un: "The Iranian President Was An Outstanding Statesman And A Close Friend Of The DPRK People"

On May 20, 2024, North Korean news agency KCNA reported that North Korean leader Xi Kim Jong Un had sent a message of condolences to Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber:[5]

North Korea's Ambassador to Iran, Han Sung-o, meets with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi at a ceremony to mark the 43rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran February 10, 2022. (Source: Asahi)

"Upon receiving the shocking news that His Excellency Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, passed away in an unexpected accident, I would like to express my deepest condolences to you, and through you to the Iranian government and people and the bereaved families, in the name of the government and people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [DPRK].

"The passing away of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Iran is a great loss to the fraternal people of Iran and to the peoples of the world who aspire for independence and justice.

"The Iranian president was an outstanding statesman and a close friend of the DPRK people, who made a great contribution to the cause of the Iranian people for safeguarding the sovereignty, development and interests of their country and the gains of the Islamic revolution.

"Convinced that the Iranian government and people would overcome the pain of the great loss and advance undauntedly and vigorously to build a strong and prosperous country, I sincerely hope that the bereaved families would recover stability as soon as possible."