Russia offers condolences to friendly people of Iran over deaths of Iranian president, FM - Lavrov

MOSCOW. May 20 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the Russian embassy in Tehran have offered condolences over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

"We are deeply saddened by the news of the tragic deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and accompanying officials in the helicopter crash. We will never forget them as outstanding politicians, true patriots of the Islamic Republic who firmly defended the interests of their state and devoted their lives to the selfless service to their fatherland," Lavrov said in his condolences published on the ministry website.

Russia knew Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian as "true, real friends of our country," he said.

"They played an invaluable role in the strengthening of mutually advantageous Russian-Iranian cooperation. Our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and the entire friendly people of Iran. Our thoughts and hearts are with you at this moment of grief," Lavrov said.

In turn, the Russian embassy said it was "deeply saddened" by the deaths of President Raisi, the foreign minister and other important statesmen of Iran.

Russia "was eager to help" Iran by urgently sending rescuers of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry, the embassy said.

"Our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, and the people and the government of Iran. We wish you patience and resilience in dealing with the gravest tragedy. In solidarity with our Iranian friends, the embassy flag will be flown at half-mast," it said.