Swiss condolences after Iranian President dies in helicopter crash
Mourners in Iran hold images of late President Raisi.
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Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has expressed his condolences after the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash at the weekend.
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سويسرا تقدم التعازي في وفاة الرئيس الإيراني إثر حادث تحطم مروحية
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Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was also among the helicopter passengers who died in the crash on Monday. Iran has declared five days of mourning after the accident.
“I extend my condolences to the families of all the victims and to the Iranian citizens affected,” Cassis stated in an X social media post on Monday.
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Iran-Israel tensions: Switzerland’s role as an intermediary is shrinking
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Despite its protecting power mandate for the United States in Iran, Switzerland lacks influence to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Switzerland is among a number of states, including the European Union, to have sent messages of condolence to Iran.
European Council President Charles Moore wrote on his X account that: “Our thoughts go to the families”.
The United States expressed regret for the loss of life but also accused Raisi of serious human rights violations and of supporting terrorist groups during his tenure as president.
Switzerland has had a protecting power mandate to represent the United States in Iran since normal diplomatic channels were cut off between the two countries in 1980.
The Swiss embassy in Tehran handles US consular affairs in Iran while Switzerland also uses its good offices role to mediate during heightened tensions.
However, Switzerland has also in the past rebuked Iran for its human rights record and for escalating tensions in the Middle East.
While Switzerland has issued sanctions against Iran in recent years, it does not go as far as some US and EU measures.
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