Leaders across the Middle East and beyond are expressing their sympathies and concern about Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials after their helicopter crashed into the mountainous East Azerbaijan Province on Sunday.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed concern and said he is praying for Raisi in his first comments since the crash, according to state news agency IRNA: 'We hope that Almighty God will return the esteemed President and his companions to the nation. Let everyone pray for the health of this serving group. The Iranian people should not worry; no disruption will occur in the country's affairs.'
