(see related)
Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister
Antonio Tajani said Monday that he does not think the helicopter
crash in which Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was among the
victims will add to the tension in the Middle East.
"There is no suggestion there was an attack," he said as he
arrived at the Youth 7 Italy 2024 Summit.
"It seems to have been an accident due to bad weather, or
perhaps a technical problem.
"So I would say there shouldn't be any consequences or major
shocks.
"I would like to reassure everyone, there should be no negative
consequences abroad.
"Our fellow (Italian) citizens (in Iran) are fine
"There don't seem to be any negative consequences for the
situation in Iran at the moment.
"We will assess what is going to happen in the coming hours,
but, since there are no signs of external activity, as confirmed
by the Iranian authorities, it was an accident".
Tajani also reiterated Italy's solidarity for Iran, which had
already been voiced by Premier Giorgia Meloni.
"We are sorry. We had spoken to the foreign minister a few weeks
ago," he said, referring to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein
Amirabdollahian, who also died in the crash.
"Even when you do not agree with each other, death is always a
bad thing.
"We all express our condolences".
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