Tasnim- The Sunday�s death of former Iranian president and chairman of the country�s Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani triggered condolences for Iran and its people from world leaders.





A US State Department official on Sunday described Ayatollah Rafsanjani ?as a "prominent figure" throughout the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"We send our condolences to his family and loved ones," the official said in a statement.

Turkey�s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also sent a message in Twitter, offering condolences to the Iranian government and nation.

Separately, former president of Turkey Abdullah Gul posted a message in his Twitter account, saying, �I am very sad to learn about the demise of President Rafsanjani. May Allah rest his soul in peace.�

The sudden death of the iconic cleric drew condolences from neighboring Iraq as well.

Iraqi President Muhammad Fuad Masum, former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, and Head of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq Ammar Hakim have sent messages of condolence over the passing of Ayatollah Rafsanjani.

Moreover, representative of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement in Tehran, Nasser Abu Sharif, described the passing of �an age-old friend of Imam Khomeini and a pillar of the Islamic Revolution�s struggles� as a great sorrow felt by the Islamic Revolution lovers around the world, particularly the Palestinians.

He also paid tribute to Ayatollah Rafsanjani for devoting long years of his life to supporting the cause of Palestine.

Afghanistan's Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah has also offered his condolences to Iran over the top cleric�s death.

Ayatollah Rafsanjani passed away at a hospital in northern Tehran on Sunday at the age of 82 due to a heart condition.

He was among the main aides to the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini.

He played an influential role both during the anti-Shah struggles before the victory of the Islamic Revolution and afterwards through various stages of the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Rafsanjani was also a key figure during eight years of Iraq�s imposed war on Iran (1980-88), serving as substitute to commander-in-chief of the armed forces.