UPDATE - Arab leaders send condolences on death of Iranian president

UPDATES DECK, ADDS QATAR, UAE, ADDS BACKGROUND

By Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - Arab leaders extended on Monday their condolences to Tehran over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian and other top officials after a helicopter carrying them crashed.

The crash occurred on Sunday in East Azerbaijan province, northwestern Iran.

Iran's neighbor Iraq was among the first to extend its condolences.

“Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani expressed his deepest condolences to the Iranian government and its people over the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions in a helicopter crash,” the Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office said in a statement.

Egypt's President President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also extended his condolences.

“The President expressed the solidarity of the Arab Republic of Egypt with the leadership and people of Iran during this tragic time,” a statement from his office said.

In a post on X, Jordanian King Abdullah II expressed his “deepest condolences to the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Qatar's emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said, “Sincere condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the passing of President Ibrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdollahian, and the accompanying officials in the tragic helicopter incident.”

Writing on X, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “I extend my deepest condolences to the Iranian government and people over the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and those accompanying them following a tragic accident.”

Lebanon declared nationwide mourning with flags to be flown at half-mast for three days.

Hezbollah extended its “deepest condolences” on the deaths.

Hamas said in a statement that it “extends its sincere condolences, deep sympathy, and solidarity to the Supreme Leader and Commander of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian government, and the Iranian people, on the passing of President Raisi and his companions.”

A total of nine people, including a provincial governor, were on board when the aircraft went down.

Iran's Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume powers of the presidency and elections be held within 50 days.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio