Tasnim� Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences to Iran over passing of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Iran�s ex-president and chairman of the Expediency Council.





In the message, relayed through diplomatic channels, the Russian president has praised Ayatollah Rafsanjani�s role.

A large number of foreign officials and dignitaries have expressed condolences over the demise of the iconic Iranian cleric, who died at the age of 82 on Sunday.

Ayatollah Rafsanjani was laid to rest in the mausoleum of late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini in southern Tehran on Tuesday after a funeral attended by top officials and a big crowd of people.

The top cleric was an influential figure in a campaign led by Imam Khomeini that resulted in the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The deceased became president for two terms and was the chairman of the Expediency Council for some 20 years.