Syrian President Bashar Assad visits Iran to express condolences over death of Raisi
The Hindu
Syrian President Assad meets with Iran's supreme leader in Tehran, expresses condolences over helicopter crash deaths.
Syrian President Bashar Assad met with Iran's supreme leader in the capital Tehran on May 30 and expressed his condolences over the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, state media reported on May 30.
Mr. Assad met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and also expressed condolences over the death of Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian who was also killed in the helicopter crash earlier this month. Iran’s acting President Mohammad Mokhber was present in that meeting.
Mr. Assad’s trip took place as Iran opened a five-day registration period on Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the June 28 Presidential election to replace the late Raisi.
Iran has been the No. 1 regional supporter of Mr. Assad in that Arab nation’s lengthy civil war. Hundreds of Iranian forces have been killed in the war though Tehran has long said it has only a military advisory role in Syria.
Mr. Assad’s trip also comes with the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war roiling the region. Iran-backed Hamas led the October 7 attack that started the conflict and the militant Hezbollah group in Lebanon, also supported by Tehran, has fired rockets at Israel. Last month, Iran launched an unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel.
Raisi, the country’s Foreign Minister and others were found dead at the site of a helicopter crash after an hours-long search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
Violent protests in Pakistan by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lead to deaths and injuries, prompting army deployment and shoot at sight orders.
Russian tourist found dead in Uttarakhand hot spring, believed to have died of heart attack; body being sent to Russia.
Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh join armed struggle in Myanmar, raising concerns of escalating violence and regional involvement.
Lebanese Shia Muslims suffer in Israel-Hezbollah war, fearing unfair targeting and escalating conflict across Lebanon.
President Joe Biden pardons turkeys Peach and Blossom, marking the start of his last holiday season at the White House.
President-elect Donald Trump threatens to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China to combat illegal immigration and drugs.
State Department Spokesperson defers to Department of Justice on Adani indictment, leading to disruptions in Indian Parliament.
Justice Department drops case against Trump, citing policy against prosecuting sitting Presidents, ending landmark effort to hold him accountable.
Protests erupt in Dhaka demanding release of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das arrested for flag insult allegations.
The 29th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP29), held at Baku in Azerbaijan, is arguably the most important of the United Nations’ climate conferences. It was supposed to conclude on November 22, after nearly 11 days of negotiations and the whole purpose was for the world to take a collective step forward in addressing rising carbon emissions.
Global negotiations aim to create a U.N.-mediated treaty to end plastic pollution, with focus on production and management.