TEHRAN – The leaders of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Ireland visited Iran’s embassies in their countries on Tuesday to offer condolences over the martyrdom of President Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

Azeri President Ilham Aliyev signed a memorial book in tribute to the martyrs who lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Sunday. Aliyev met with President Raisi at the shared border of the two countries to inaugurate a dam just hours before the tragic incident took place.

During a call with Iran acting Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri Kani, Azerbaijan’s top diplomat Jeyhun Bayramov said the Azeri leader’s visit to the Iranian embassy is telling of his country’s deep sorrow over the incident. Bayramov also emphasized the need to implement the bilateral agreements reached during President Raisi’s tenure which will help strengthen ties between the two countries. Baqeri, for his part, said Iran is committed to the expansion of relations between Tehran and Baku. 

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also left a note in a book of condolences opened at the Iranian embassy in Astana. Tokayev wrote that he had received the news of the tragedy with “great sadness and sorrow,” adding that he will always remember President Raisi as a “wise leader, high-profile politician, and eminent personality who contributed greatly to strengthening cooperation between the two countries.”

President of the Republic of Ireland Michael D. Higgins paid a visit to Iran’s embassy in Dublin to offer condolences on the passing of Iran’s late president.

Expressing heartfelt sympathies, the Irish president extended solidarity and support during this difficult time.

President Raisi placed great emphasis on the expansion of cooperation with neighboring and regional countries during his three-year tenure. He made 29 visits to 23 foreign nations in a bid to strengthen bilateral ties and boost Iran’s presence in international organizations. During his stint, Iran gained memberships in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. 

Minister Amir Abdollahian was also a well-rounded diplomat who spent his years in office trying to bring regional countries closer together. He held multiple tours in West Asia in the past 8 months to help bring an end to the plight of Palestinians. Media outlets affiliated with resistance forces in the region mourned the passing of Amir Abdollahian as a loss for all freedom fighters.

Experts believe that the late president and minister’s efforts will act as a stepping stone for future advances by upcoming leaders.