Erbil, Kurdistan Region - On Tuesday, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani attended a funeral at the Iranian Consulate General in Erbil to honor the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and their delegation who tragically died in a helicopter crash.

The solemn event saw Prime Minister Barzani expressing condolences on behalf of the Kurdistan Region. The Iranian Consul General conveyed his country's deep appreciation for Barzani's presence and heartfelt condolences.

"We have come to extend our condolences to the Iranian leadership, presidency, government, and people through the Iranian consulate, and we hope this will be the last grief of the Iranian people," stated Prime Minister Barzani in a press conference following the funeral. He emphasized his hope that such tragic incidents might serve as a catalyst for nations to draw closer and strengthen their relations.

“We were expecting to welcome the Iranian president to Erbil in a few days as part of his planned visit to Iraq, but unfortunately this tragic incident occurred that resulted in the death of the president and ministers,” Barzani added.

Prime Minister Barzani's attendance highlights the close ties and mutual respect between the Kurdistan Region and Iran. The tragic loss of President Raisi and his delegation underscores the significant impact of the event on both Iran and the international community.

The helicopter crash, which occurred on May 19, 2024, in the mountainous region of East Azerbaijan province near the border with Azerbaijan, resulted in the deaths of all nine passengers on board. The crash happened under poor weather conditions, and after an extensive 18-hour search, the wreckage was discovered, confirming the fatalities.

The incident has elicited condolences from leaders worldwide, reflecting the global significance of President Raisi's leadership and the profound loss experienced by Iran and the international community.