In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
It is with deep sorrow that I express my condolences and sympathy to the greater family of the Army and the Air Force as well as the mourning families of the staff on board an aircraft of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army Air Force for the heartbreaking and tragic accident. I ask Allah to bestow patience on the survivors, and mercy and forgiveness on the deceased ones. The officials in charge must investigate the event to identify and follow up on the weaknesses, shortcomings and potential mistakes [that led to the tragic accident].
Sayyid Ali Khamenei
January 15, 2019