Hawzah News Agency- Senior Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Shobeiri Zanjani's office, on behalf of this Shia source of emulation, expressed condolences on the martyrdom of the Iranian president who was martyred during a helicopter crash in the Iranian province of East Azerbaijan on Monday, May 19.

The text of the condolence message is as follows:

In the name of God

To God we belong and to God we return

We deeply regret the passing away of the respected and hard-working president, Hujjat al-Islam Haj Seyed Ibrahim Raisi, and Tabriz's Friday Prayer Imam Hujjat al-Islam Ale-Hashem and his other companions, in the tragic accident of the helicopter crash.

Undoubtedly, efforts in serving the people and the Holy Shrine of Hazrat Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Reza (peace be upon him) have a great reward in the presence of God Almighty.

We ask Almighty God for mercy and forgiveness for these loved ones, and patience and reward for all the bereaved, especially the Supreme Leader, and the bereaved families.

Office of Grand Ayatollah Shobeiri Zanjani

Qom, Tuesday, May 20

On May 19, a helicopter carrying the Iranian president crashed in Iran's Eastern Azerbaijan Province. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati, and Tabriz Imam Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem were also on board the helicopter. Iranian Red Crescent Society head Pir Hossein Koulivand said that all passengers and crew of the helicopter were killed in the crash. A commission has been created to investigate the causes of the disaster. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber became the acting President of Iran. Early presidential elections are scheduled for June 28.