Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to assist Iran: Jalali

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 May 2024 03:31

The Iranian ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin asked him to convey his message to the Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei regarding Russia's readiness to assist Iran with everything it needs in this regard.

An undated image of the Iranian ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali. (Social media)

Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin called for an emergency meeting with officials from security and military agencies in response to the incident involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter.

During the meeting, Jalali stated that the Russian president expressed profound regret over the incident involving the Iranian President's helicopter and declared his readiness to provide any necessary assistance to Iran.

Jalali added that the Russian president expressed his concern about the incident, asking him to convey his message to the Leader of the Revolution and the Republic regarding Russia's readiness to help Iran with everything it needs in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Russian news agency Sputnik reported that Putin issued directives to the Ministry of Emergency Situations to send a group of Russian search and rescue teams to assist in the search operations for President Raisi's helicopter.

In turn, the Iranian agency, Tasnim, reported that Russia would send two helicopters and 50 search and rescue personnel specialized in mountain rescue operations in the coming hours.

World rushes to support Iran, as US watches closely

Rescue teams continue to work on reaching the site where the helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and an accompanying delegation was forced to make a hard landing in a mountainous terrain in northwestern Iran.

In the meantime, the incident has garnered international attention.

The United States Department of State said that Washington is closely watching reports on the incident, a spokesperson said on Sunday, while the White House said that US President Joe Biden was briefed on the incident.

The Iraqi government instructed its Interior Ministry, the Red Crescent, and other relevant bodies to offer help to neighboring Iran and assist in the search and rescue operation.

The President of the Supreme Political Council in Sanaa, Mahdi al-Mashat, expressed his concern and affirmed that Yemen's people and leaders will stand side-by-side with the Iranian people and its leaders in these difficult times.

The Sultanate of Oman said it was following with great concern the disappearance of the Iranian President's helicopter and expressed its solidarity with Iran and its readiness to provide any support and assistance needed.

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry also said it was "closely following with concern the reports regarding the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and his accompanying delegation," expressing "its wishes for their safety and its support for the Islamic Republic of Iran in this critical situation."

Saudi Arabia, through its Foreign Ministry, expressed its support for Iran and said it was ready to provide any assistance required. According to the Saudi state news agency, the Kingdom is following reports about the crash with "great concern".

Concurrently, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said that it is ready to make available all sorts of aid and support to Iran.

Jordan's Foreign Ministry also released a statement, saying that it is following with extreme concern the reports on the incident, adding that the country is ready to offer all types of necessary aid and support to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

On its part, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said that it is closely following the event, affirming its trust in the wisdom and capabilities of the Iranian government, leadership, and people who it believes will overcome this difficult situation. Damascus also reiterated its readiness to offer Tehran any necessary assistance.

The United Arab Emirates also expressed its willingness to assist Iran, while the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said it is closely following the developing events.

Lebanon's Foreign Ministry also expressed its concerns regarding the incident.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari said that the country is deeply concerned about the reports on the helicopter that was transporting the Iranian President, the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and others.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said it was following the developments on Sunday's Iran helicopter accident with sadness and hoping for the President's well-being, adding that action had been taken to provide all kinds of support to search and rescue activities.

"We hope that the Iranian officials, including Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, are safe and healthy," it said in a statement.

In this context, Turkey answered Iran's call for the deployment of night vision-capable drones to assist search and rescue efforts.

The Turkish emergency committee sent six vehicles and 32 experts to assist Iranian search and rescue efforts in the mountainous Province of East Azerbaijan.

On his part, the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said that he is extremely saddened by the incident, adding that Turkish authorities are coordinating efforts with their Iranian counterparts.