Ramaphosa sends his condolences to Iran after president Raisi dies in helicopter crash

Johnathan Paoli

President Cyril Ramaphosa has mourned the death that claimed the lives of Iranian president Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi, foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and personnel on Sunday evening.

This , after authorities confirmed the discovery of the bodies of the government officials on Monday morning. The incident occurred in the country’s northwest region close to the border with Azerbaijan, following what has been preliminary described as an accidental hard landing following poor weather.

President Ramaphosa expressed his shock and compassion for all those who have been affected by the tragic loss.

“This is an extraordinary, unthinkable tragedy that has claimed the life of a remarkable leader of a nation with whom South Africa enjoys strong bilateral relations. Our hearts go out to the affected families and the administration of the Islamic republic of Iran,” Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa, as deputy president, visited the country in November 2015, and Iran was recently