TEHRAN – Pakistan Army Commander General Syed Asim Munir conveyed his heartfelt condolences and deep grief over the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation.
In a telephone conversation on Sunday, General Munir offered his condolences to Major General Mohammed Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Armed Forces, and conveyed his condolences to the Iranian people and government, especially the Iranian Armed Forces, over this tragic incident.
General Munir stressed the special friendship shared between President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian and the people of Pakistan and expressed deep sadness at the loss.
General Munir highlighted the great contributions of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and stated that they were outstanding government officials and true friends of Pakistan. He lamented the irreparable loss of these respected officials and their associates and offered prayers for the souls of the departed and for the health of their grieving families.
General Muneer further highlighted the enduring historical, cultural and fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Iran and stressed that the armies of the two countries stand united with each other.
In an official statement, the Pakistan Army reiterated Lt Gen Bagheri’s gratitude for the sympathy and solidarity shown by the Pakistan Army during this period of mourning.
Major General Bagheri vowed to continue promoting military cooperation between Iran and Pakistan.
The helicopter carrying President Raisi and his entourage crashed on the afternoon of May 19 while en route from the border with the Republic of Azerbaijan, where the Iranian president has begun a major dam construction project, to Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan.
Rescue teams found the helicopter’s wreckage early Monday after hours of exhaustive search involving more than 70 teams.
The crash also killed Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian, two senior provincial government officials, crew members and bodyguards.
Notably, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led a high-level delegation to Tehran on Wednesday to pay tribute and offer condolences to President Raisi and his family. During the visit, Prime Minister Sharif paid tribute to the martyred President and Foreign Minister and offered condolences along with Iranian leaders and government officials.
Additionally, Prime Minister Sharif met with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei and further reaffirmed the bonds of friendship and solidarity between Pakistan and Iran.
During the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that relations between the two countries could reach new heights under Pakistan’s new government and described President Raisi’s recent visit to Pakistan as an important step towards strengthening cooperation.
“Relations with Pakistan are very important for the Islamic Republic of Iran and we view the country as a complete brother. However, relations between the two countries have seen ups and downs in recent years and we believe that under Pakistan’s new government, this relationship may once again reach its peak,” the leader said.
To mark the solemn occasion, the Pakistani government declared Tuesday, May 21, a national day of mourning the martyrdom of President Raisi and his delegation. The Pakistani flag was flown at half-mast in Islamabad and in the capitals of four provinces.
Sharif appears to have developed a close relationship with President Raisi over the past few years, meeting the late president for the first time during the opening of a market on the Iran-Pakistan border in 2022.
The two countries navigated a complex and volatile situation earlier this year when Tehran and Islamabad conducted airstrikes on each other’s territory and also forged an agreement on a major power transmission line, strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
