Palestinian fighter group Hamas has mourned the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who it said had supported the Palestinian people during the recent conflict with Israel.

Raisi, a hardliner long seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border, officials and state media said.

“These leaders supported the legitimate struggle of our people against the Zionist entity, provided valued support to the Palestinian resistance, and made tireless efforts in solidarity and support in all forums and fields for our people in the steadfast Gaza Strip during the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood,” referring to the current conflict with Israel which began on Oct 7.

“They also made significant political and diplomatic efforts to stop the Zionist aggression against our Palestinian people,” said Hamas in a statement.

Hamas leaders have repeatedly thanked Iran for its military and financial support to the group in their decades-long fight against Israel.