President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the government and people of Iran over the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials in a helicopter crash.

Tinubu described Raisi as a leader who was passionately committed to the development of Iran, adding that the death of the country’s leaders was a “disturbing tragedy”.

While commiserating with the bereaved families, President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, prayed for the continuous peace, stability, and prosperity of Iran.

“On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, the President assures the Islamic Republic of Nigeria’s support and prayers in this moment of grief,” Ngelale added.

Raisi died after a helicopter carrying him and other officials crashed in a mountainous and forested area of the country on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Helicopter crash: Iran’s VP Mokhber named president

The 63-year-old, a figure representing conservative and hardline factions in Iranian politics, was president for nearly three years.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced five days of public mourning and confirmed Mohammad Mokhber as acting president on Monday.

Iran now has a maximum period of 50 days before a presidential election must be held to choose Raisi’s successor.

Those who died along with Raisi were Amir-Amirabdollahian, and the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province, Malik Rahmati.

Others included the representative of the Iranian supreme leader to East Azerbaijan, Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Al-Hashem; and head of Raisi’s guard team, Sardar Seyed Mehdi Mousavi.

Also confirmed dead in the crash were Pilot Col. Seyed Taher Mostafavi; Co-pilot Col. Mohsen Daryanush; and flight technician Major Behrouz Ghadimi.

The Star