US offers condolences and criticism after death of Iranian president

The White House on Monday offered its condolences over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, while criticizing his human rights record and rejecting the suggestion that US sanctions on Iran played a role in the accident.

The State Department expressed its “official condolences” on the deaths of Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others who died in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran. White House spokesman John Kirby reiterated these condolences.

But the administration did not hold back in its criticism of Raisi and its support for the Iranian people.

“President Raisi was responsible for atrocious human rights in his own country,” Kirby told reporters. “The arrest and physical violence against hundreds of protesters, for example. And of course he is responsible… for the support that Iran has provided to terrorist networks throughout the region.

“Without a doubt, this was a man who had a lot of blood on his hands,” Kirby added. “That said, as we would in any other case, we certainly generally mourn the loss of life and offer official condolences as appropriate.”

Kirby rejected claims by some in Iran that US sanctions were responsible for the crash, calling them “completely unfounded.”

“But I would note that official Iranian sources are out there citing poor flying conditions as a cause for concern – specifically fog,” he said. “And every country, no matter who it is, has a responsibility, its own responsibility to ensure the safety and reliability of its equipment, and that includes civil aviation.”

The fall comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Israel and Hamas involved in a conflict that began with Hamas killing more than 1,100 Israelis in attacks last October. Tens of thousands of Palestinians died in subsequent fighting in Gaza.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei named Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim president, The Associated Press reported.

Kirby told reporters that the change in Iranian leadership would not affect the tense relationship between Washington and Tehran or encourage a change in behavior on either side.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story