PM Shehbaz declares day of mourning after Raisi death

The helicopter, carrying President Raisi, the foreign minister, and other officials, went down in a foggy, mountainous region of northwest Iran, with all occupants pronounced dead after an hours-long search.

The premier extended his "deepest condolences and sympathies" to the Iranian nation on the terrible loss through his message released on X (formerly Twitter).

"The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage," the statement added.

PM Shehbaz expressed that he was "hoping for good news" regarding the reported crash landing of President Raisi's helicopter. "Alas, this was not to be."

Iranian state agencies confirmed the president’s death earlier today after the helicopter, carrying nine people, crashed into a mountain in heavy fog while returning from the Iran-Azerbaijan border, Iranian officials said.

The premier, while grieving the loss of President Raisi, also reminisced about Raisi's and Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian's recent visit to Pakistan last month.

PM Shehbaz added that the country will mourn the great loss by hoisting the flag at half-mast and observing a day of mourning.

Bilawal expresses profound grief

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed profound grief over the tragic demise of the Iranian president and his companions in a helicopter crash.

In his statement, Bilawal said, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of Iran on the untimely passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and their fellow travellers."

"The news of this devastating incident has deeply saddened every Pakistani, and we stand united in solidarity with our Iranian brothers and sisters during this difficult time," the former foreign minister said.

"I convey sincere condolences to the government and citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the PPP chairperson added.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA), Omar Ayub Khan also expressed deep sorrow and condolences.

"The passing of President Raisi has deprived the Muslim ummah of a great and courageous leader," stated Ayub.

"Pakistan has lost a sincere friend with the demise of President Raisi," he added.

Ayub noted that President Raisi was a proponent of progress and prosperity in the region and that the whole nation is deeply saddened by his sudden demise.

"In these difficult times, we stand with the Iranian people and share their sorrow equally," reiterated the opposition leader. He prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyred individuals and for patience for their families and the Iranian nation to bear the irreparable loss.

The helicopter, carrying President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials, lost contact approximately 30 minutes into the flight. This sparked immediate concerns and a massive search and rescue operation.

The country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after an hourslong search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest, state media reported. Raisi was 63.