Pandor, Iran – Dr. Naledi Pandor, South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, has extended her condolences to Iran following a tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, President Ebrahim Raisi, and several other officials. The accident occurred in East Azerbaijan province, with the recovery of their bodies in a mountainous area reported on Monday.

According to South African Government News Agency, the crash not only took the lives of high-ranking officials but also marked a profound loss for diplomatic and international relations. Dr. Pandor expressed her deepest sympathy to the government and people of Iran, emphasizing the loss of a "brilliant and astute counterpart."

The statement detailed that Dr. Pandor and Amir-Abdollahian had co-hosted the 15th Session of the Joint Commission of Cooperation in Pretoria last year, where they had further strengthened diplomatic ties. Additionally, the late Foreign Minister had made a courtesy visit to President Cyril Ramaphosa during the session.

In response to the tragedy, President Ramaphosa also conveyed his condolences to Iran's Supreme Leader, The Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, and the families of the deceased. He reflected on the bilateral relations between South Africa and Iran, emphasizing the deep connections fostered through diplomatic exchanges and mutual cooperation in forums such as BRICS.

President Ramaphosa acknowledged the immense impact of the tragedy on both nations, stating, "This is an extraordinary, unthinkable tragedy that has claimed remarkable leaders."