Seyyed Hassan Khomeini made remarks afterthe martyrdom of President Ebrahim Raeisi and accompaning figures in a helicopter crash in the country’s northwest.
Raeisi was declared dead alongside his accompanying delegation, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, after their chopper crashed in the Dizmar forest in East Azarbaijan Province on Sunday.
Following an hours-long search hampered by poor weather conditions, rescuers found the burnt-out wreckage of the helicopter and its passengers were confirmed dead.
The text of the condolence message comes as following:
The heart-breaking incident of the helicopter crash and the ensuing martyrdom of the president, the foreign minister, the representative of the Leader in East Azerbaijan province, the provincial governor and their companions, were deeply shocking.
I have known and associated with Martyr Hojat al-Islam Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi for many years. His inner purity, humbleness and eagerness to serve the people were his most important characteristics in all these periods. Promotion of official responsibilities never changed the spirit of this serving figure and cleric.
Martyr Raisi's devotion to the Imam Khomeini was such that he did not forget it even during the most important years of responsibility in the judiciary and the presidency.
I also consider it necessary to appreciate servicces rendered by Tabriz Friday prayers leader, late Ayatollah Al Hashim, and the noble and respected diplomat, Dr. Amir Abdollahian in recent and past years.
While offering my condolences to the survivors and seeking patience for them, I ask God the Almighty to unite these martyrs with the divine saints.
Certatainly, without any doubt, the comforting presence of Ayatollah Khamenei in this situation is like a stable anchor for our country.