PARIS, May 20: Irans powerful allies on Monday mourned the death of its President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, while regional militants hailed him as a supporter of the Palestinian cause.
Russia and China called the ultraconservative leader a "friend", while Irans arch-foes the United States and Israel had yet to react publicly.
Here is a roundup of key reactions:
China: Chinas President Xi Jinping said "his tragic death is a great loss to the Iranian people, and the Chinese people have lost a good friend," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference.
European Union: The European Union expressed its "sincere condolences".
"Our thoughts go to the families," EU Council President Charles Michel said in a statement.
France: France sent its condolences "to the Islamic Republic of Iran... (and) to the families of the victims of this accident," in a statement from the foreign ministry.
India: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise" of Raisi, adding that "India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow."
Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Raisi as an "outstanding politician" and said his death was an "irreplaceable loss."
"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 take them to the level of a strategic partnership," Putin said in a letter to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Turkey: Turkey was "deeply saddened" by Raisis death and "shares the pain of the friendly and brotherly Iranian people," Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent his "sincere condolences to the friendly and fraternal people and government," in a message on X, formerly Twitter.
Hamas: Hamas mourned Raisi as an "honourable supporter" of the Gaza-based Palestinian militant group whose October 7 attack on Israel sparked the bloodiest-ever war in the coastal territory.
Hamas said it appreciated Raisis "support for the Palestinian resistance and tireless efforts in solidarity" with Palestinians since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
Syria: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed solidarity with close ally Tehran, which has backed him during more than a decade of civil war.
"We worked with the late President to ensure that strategic relations between Syria and Iran flourish always," the Syrian presidency said in a statement.
Taliban: Afghanistans Taliban government expressed regret on Monday over the deaths of Irans president and other officials in a helicopter crash.
"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and all Afghans are deeply saddened and affected by this tragic event," said, Prime Minister of Afghanistan Mohammad Hassan Akhund in a statement. —AFP
