Incarcerated Imran Khan offers condolences to Iran over tragic death of President Raisi

Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has expressed his deepest condolences to the people and leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran following the tragic deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a helicopter crash.

Taking to the microblogging site X, the former prime minister praised the late President and FinMin for their support for the war-torn people, saying "They led their country's resolute support for the beleaguered Palestinian people."

We are deeply grieved to hear of the tragic deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir- Abdollahian in a helicopter crash. They led their country’s resolute support for the beleaguered Palestinian people.

Our condolences go to the people & leadership of…

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 20, 2024

"Our condolences go to the people and leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran as we stand with them in their hour of grief and trial," the veteran politician added.

Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash on May 19, along with nine others including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian. 

East Azarbaijan Province’s Governor Malek Rahmati, the head of Raisi’s guard team Mehdi Mousavi and Mohammad Ali Al-e-Hashem, the Supreme Leader’s representative in the East Azerbaijan province, were also onboard the helicopter.

The tragic accident happened when the 63-year-old politician was en route to launch a project after inaugurating a dam in Azerbaijan.

After the event, Raisi and his entourage departed in a convoy of three choppers to inaugurate another project.

However, Raisi's helicopter lost contact shortly after taking off.

"At around 1 pm, the president left Tabriz to inaugurate two projects, but the helicopter lost contact shortly after leaving," the head of the search and rescue teams, Mohsen Mansouri told the media.

"Three helicopters left Tabriz, but, half an hour later, two lost contact with the one carrying the president," he added.

According to Irani media, the helicopter carrying Raisi crashed on the border of Azerbaijan due to bad weather.