Statement on the Martyrdom of the President and Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran

It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the tragic martyrdom of President Seyed Ebrahim Raeisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a tragic helicopter crash in the province of East Azarbaijan on May 19 2024.

President Raeisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian were on their way back from an official ceremony to inaugurate a dam on the Aras River. Their lives were dedicated to the service of our beloved nation, and their contributions have left an indelible mark on Iran's history and its diplomacy.

This devastating incident also claimed the lives of East Azarbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, the Friday Prayers leader of Tabriz, Mohammad Ali Al-e Hashem, a member of the president’s bodyguard team, as well as the helicopter's pilot, co-pilot, and crew.

The Iranian Embassy in Georgia extends its deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and the people of Iran during this time of immense grief. We mourn together as a nation and honor the legacy of those who have dedicated their lives to the progress and prosperity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In this moment of sorrow, we draw strength from our unity and resolve to continue the work of our departed leaders in fostering peace, stability, and development for Iran and its people.

Tbilisi, Georgia

May 20, 2024