Hamas expresses solidarity with Iran after helicopter crash carrying President Raisi

Earlier in the day, Iranian media reported that a helicopter carrying Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and other officials crashed in northwestern Iran. Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi later confirmed the crash. Rescue teams have arrived at the scene but search operations have been hampered by severe weather conditions.

"We, the Islamic resistance movement Hamas, are following with deep concern and anxiety the news that the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and their accompanying delegation had to make an emergency landing... In connection with this painful incident, we express our full solidarity with Iran - its leadership, government and people," Hamas said.

Hamas added that the movement "prays to the Almighty to keep the Iranian president and his entourage in good health and to protect the brotherly Iranian people from all evil."

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia is ready to assist Iran in the helicopter crash carrying President Raisi. "Russia is ready to extend all necessary assistance in finding the missing helicopter and investigating the cause of the incident," Zakharova wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Zakharova said that Russia is closely monitoring rescue efforts to locate the helicopter carrying Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, adding: "We sincerely hope that they are alive and that there is no threat to their lives and health." Russia and Iran are developing political, trade and military relations, with the Iranian government emphasizing that military cooperation with Russia is expanding every day./.