TEHRAN – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei held a meeting with the families of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions who were martyred during a helicopter crash on May 19. 

President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and six others were returning from a dam inauguration at the Iran-Azerbaijan border when the chopper carrying them crashed due to severe weather conditions. The Friday Prayer Imam of Tabriz and the governor of East Azerbaijan Province were also among the deceased. 

During the Saturday meeting, the Leader stated that working for the people, serving the people, and caring for the people were among some of the most prominent characteristics of the martyrs who lost their lives during the incident. “The late Mr. Raisi worked tirelessly day and night in the true sense of the word,” remarked Ayatollah Khamenei.

Ayatollah Khamenei conveyed his condolences to the families of the martyrs and praised the late Iranian foreign minister for being tireless in his efforts. “The account of the services and endeavors of Mr. Raisi and Mr. Amir Abdollahian on both the domestic and foreign fronts is a long and detailed story,” he stated.

The Leader underscored that one of the most prominent features of the late Friday Prayer Imam of Tabriz, Ayatollah Ale-Hashem, was that he brought a whole new meaning to the Friday prayer. “Since his appointment as the Friday Prayer Imam of Tabriz, the late Ale-Hashem transformed this prayer from a simple act of worship to a holistic practice, encompassing spirituality, service to others, and community engagement.”

Referring to the movement and uprising of the people during the funeral of the martyrs in Tabriz, Qom, Tehran, Rey, Birjand, Mashhad, Maragheh, Zanjan and Najafabad, the Leader said, “These glorious funerals showed that the Iranian nation is full of spirit.”

While pointing to the enemies' propaganda and claims of the people's separation from the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, “Before the eyes of the world and in practice, this incident proved the deep attachment and loyalty of the Iranian nation to the President and those who embodied the mottos of the Revolution.” 

He described the late Iranian president as a true representation of the principles of the Revolution. “From the very beginning of his presidential campaign, Mr. Raisi stressed the mottos of the Revolution and the words of Imam Khomeini. The entire world knew him as the President of the Revolution.”

The Leader added, “When people show such strong support and admiration for this man, they are essentially endorsing the mottos of the Revolution.”