Perhaps I'm wrong, but I believe I hear nothing but crickets from the White House...
-NW

Raisi: a brief presidency with an enduring legacy
By Xavier Villar
Tehran Times
May 22, 2024

[snip]

The announcement of this tragic loss was made 16 hours after contact was lost with the helicopter carrying them back from an inauguration ceremony of a water dam project with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Saturday, the 19th. At least 73 rapid response and rescue teams were deployed for search operations. Azerbaijan, Russia, and Turkey also participated in these search efforts.

The Iranian cabinet issued an official statement expressing: "The beloved President of Iran, Ayatollah Raisi, has been martyred on the anniversary of the birth of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam. The president, tireless and hardworking, made the ultimate sacrifice in his path of serving his nation."

In his condolence message to the nation, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei highlighted President Raisi's dedication to public service. According to Khamenei, "Beloved President Raisi knew no fatigue. In this painful incident, the people of Iran have lost a sincere, dedicated, and valuable servant. For him, the well-being and satisfaction of the people, reflecting divine satisfaction, prevailed above all." Additionally, in the same condolence message, the Leader decreed five days of national mourning.

As soon as the death of the president and his companions was confirmed, several international political leaders began to express their condolences.

From Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed, "Our thoughts and hearts are with Iran at this time." Additionally, he noted that both President Ebrahim Raisi and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian "were known as true and reliable friends of Russia."

Chinese President Xi Jinping described the "tragic death" of Raisi as "a great loss for the Iranian people."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic death" of Raisi, Amir Abdollahian, and their accompanying delegation, who were returning from an official trip to Azerbaijan. "My heartfelt condolences to their families and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow."

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, extended his condolences "for this terrible loss" and expressed, "The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with its customary courage."

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who met with the Iranian delegation just hours before the accident, expressed being "deeply shocked by the news of the tragic loss suffered by our friendly and sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran and its people" in a statement addressed to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed, "I remember my brother, President Raisi, with all respect and gratitude," in reference to the deceased Iranian president.

From Iraq, President Abdul Latif al-Rashid said in a statement: "Our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, and the leadership and people of the Islamic Republic. We affirm that Iraq stands by the Iranian people during this difficult time."

King Abdullah II of Jordan, President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed, and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, also extended heartfelt condolences to the Islamic Republic.

On its part, Lebanon announced three days of national mourning for the deaths of Raisi, Amir Abdollahian, and the rest of their team.