It's true.
World leaders and officials extended their condolences to the Iranian nation and government on the occasion of the death of Head of Iran's Expediency Council and two-time president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Rafsanjani died at the age of 83 in Tehran on Sunday after he was rushed to Tajreesh Martyres Hospital in Northern Tehran after experiencing a heart failure Sunday afternoon.
Secretary General of the Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in a statement said that Hashemi Rafsanjani was an active supporter of the resistance movement.
"He was a big pillar, a supporter, a kind father and a staunch defender of the Lebanon Islamic resistance in all stages and difficult conditions over the past 34 years," Nasrallah said.
He extended his condolences to the bereaved family of Hashemi Rafsanjani, the Iranian officials and people.
Meantime, the Iraqi Vice President Nouri al-Maliki in a message on Sunday night extended condolences on the demise of late Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Iraqi President Fouad Massoum and Chairman of Iraqi National Coalition Ammar Hakim also in separate messages expressed condolences on demise of former Iranian president.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday expressed deep grief over the death of the veteran Iranian politician.
"Rafsanjani was an influential figure not only in Iran, but also a symbol of reconciliatory peace efforts at the international level," Nawaz Sharif added.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a message condoled on the sad occasion.
Russian President
Vladimir Putin condolences the decease of Rafsanjani in a message to the Iranian President.
Persian Gulf states heads sent condolences after his death, signaling appreciation for a pragmatist who sought regional detente. The heads of state of
Bahrain,
Kuwait,
Qatar,
Oman and the
United Arab Emiratesexpressed condolences after the death of Rafsanjani. A condolence message from King
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was sent to Iran said he was "praying to almighty God for his soul to rest in peace and inspire Iran's president, its people and his family." Bahraini Foreign Minister,
Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, whose country has tense relations with Iran, voiced condolences on Twitter over Rafsanjani's death. Kuwait's Emir,
Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, sent condolences over Rafsanjani, saying he "prayed to Allah the almighty to bestow blessings on the deceased."
[82] Emir of Qatar,
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also sent a condolence message.
[83] Oman's ruler,
Sultan Qaboos, sent a telegram of condolence to Iran over Rafsanjani's death. Crown Prince of
Abu Dhabi Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed his condolences over the loss of Rafsanjani and extended his sympathy to the Ayatollah's family.
[84] Writing on his official Twitter account, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Anwar Mohammed Qarqash described Rafsanjani as "one of the voices of political realism and moderation". Condolence messages also came from pro-Iranian Arab forces include Lebanon's
Hezbollah and Yemen's
Houthi group.
[85] Iraqi President
Fuad Masum also offered his condolences, while voicing his appreciation for Ayatollah Rafsanjani's efforts backing the people of Iraq. Turkish Foreign Minister
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in a message on his Twitter page extended his condolences on the demise of late Chairman of the State Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. "With much sorrow I received the news on the passing away of former Iranian President (Akbar) Hashemi Rafsanjani and I wish him God's blessing and condole with his bereaved family and the Iranian nation on his demise," Cavusoglu said in his Twitter message. Former
Turkish President Abdullah Gül also extended his condolences on Ayatollah Rafsanjani's death.
[87] Tajik President
Emomali Rahmon has also sent a message of condolence to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, saying he is grieved at the news of demise of the "prominent figure" of the Islamic Republic of Iran. South African President
Jacob Zumaissued a statement saying his nation "acknowledges President Rafsanjani's pioneering spirit in establishing stronger trade and political ties with African countries and South Africa." Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad,
[88] Afghanistan's President
Ashraf Ghani and country's Chief Executive
Abdullah Abdullah, Algerian President
Abdelaziz Bouteflika[89] Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan, Lebanese President
Michel Aoun, Iraq's former prime minister and current Vice President
Nouri al-Maliki, Turkish Minister of European Union Affairs
Ömer Çelik and the UN resident coordinator in Iran,
Gary Lewis were also among world leaders sending condolences.
[90]
A
US Department of State official also referred to Ayatollah Rafsanjani as a "prominent figure" throughout the history of Iran in a statement. "We send our condolences to his family and loved ones," said the statement.
[91] White Housepress secretary
Josh Earnest also said Rafsanjani was a "prominent figure" and a "consequential figure" in Iran's history. He said the United States was sending its condolences to the Iranian people, but Earnest declined to speculate on how Rafsanjani's death might affect future Iranian policy toward the United States. Chinese Foreign Ministry also published a statement and called Rafsanjani an "influential leader". Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said that China offered sympathy to the government and people of Iran, as well as Rafsanjani's relatives. Lu also spoke highly of Rafsanjani's contributions to bilateral ties between Iran and China during his presidency.
[92]