TEHRAN - The Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation has expressed his condolences on the tragic loss of the Iranian president Ibrahim Raisi during a phone call with the Iranian Oil Minister Javad Oji,

Alexandre Novak also expressed sympathy with the Iranian people and bereaved families of the chopper crash incident calling the late President Raisi a patriotic, national, and influential person who played a great role in promoting the place of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the world scene.

“The incident of tragic loss of Ibrahim Raisi was very saddening for me because of close collaboration; so his memory will remain alive in Russia forever.” The Russian official said.  

Iran and Russia relations will be expanded further against the will of those who are against expanding the two countries' bilateral relations, Novak added.

He called on the Iranian minister to convey his sympathy to the president and other deceased relatives as well.

The incident of the tragic loss of Ibrahim Raisi is catastrophic for the Iranian people as well as friendly and neighboring countries like Russia, Novak said.

In response, Oji thanked Russian people and officials for expressing their sympathy with the Iranian people saying he would convey the message of condolence to the bereaved families on behalf of Novak and other Russian officials.  

“Ibrahim Raisi was a very outstanding personality in view of promoting relations with other countries including Russia and could play a unique role in expanding Iran’s economic ties with other countries, the Iranian minister said.

“The roadmap drawn by the late president will be followed without any disruption to boost Iran’s strategic cooperation with other countries even though his absence is very hard and unbelievable for us as the persons who worked closely with him, so we are praying God to give us the patience to tolerate the grief.”, he added. 

Iranian president, Irbrahim Raisi, and seven others on board lost their lives during a chopper crash incident in northwest Iran. He was returning from an inauguration ceremony in which he and his counterpart from the Azerbaijan Republic, Ilham Alyev,  opened a dam on the Aras River steaming along the common border on 19 May.

EF/