[Video transcript]
The news of President Raisi's death sent shockwaves across Iran and beyond.
Messages of condolence having been pouring into the country. Many from regional neighbours, as well as allies and partners in other authoritarian regimes.
Iranian embassies worldwide have seen both condolences and celebrations. In neighbouring Iraq, mourners lit candles and paid tribute to Raisi. In Moscow, some people came to lay flowers and offer their condolences. At Iran’s embassy in Beijing, the flag flew at half-mast, and the foreign ministry said China had lost a dear friend.
Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson: "President Raisi made significant contributions to maintaining Iran's security and stability, and promoting the country's development and prosperity."
The reaction from the United States was somewhat more ambivalent.
Matthew Miller, State Department spokesperson: "Ebrahim Raisi was a brutal participant in the repression of the Iranian people for nearly four decades. That said, we regret any loss of life. We don't want to see anyone die in a helicopter crash. But that doesn't change the reality of his record, both as a judge and as the president of Iran. The fact that he has blood on his hands."
In other parts of the world, some were celebrating.
In Syria's opposition-held Idlib province, where Iranian-backed terrorist groups have been known to operate, locals handed out sweets. Outside Iran's embassy in London, there was music, dancing, and cheering. Demonstrators outside the Berlin embassy called this a "happy day" as exiled members of the Iranian opposition in Germany made their feelings perfectly clear.