Syrian president meets Ayatollah Khamenei to offer condolences over Raisi death

TEHRAN – President Bashar al Assad of Syria visited Tehran on Thursday to offer condolences to Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19.

The Syrian president told Ayatollah Khamenei that the ties between Syria and Iran are “strategic” that are progressing under “Your Excellency’s directions, and Mr. Raisi and Mr. Amir Abdollahian” were at the forefront to implement them.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian was also among seven others who were killed in the helicopter that was carrying the president in northwest Iran.

Assad also called President Raisi a humble, insightful and ethical person who truly represented the positons and slogans of the Islamic Revolution.

“In the last three years, Mr. Raisi played an important influence in the role of the Islamic Republic in regional affairs, the Palestine issue and also deepening relations between Iran and Syria,” Assad added.

Raisi took over as president in August 2021.