The Biden administration offered its sympathies for the passing of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Raisi, along with a number of Iranian regime figures, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter accident in northern Iran during the weekend.
Raisi, also referred to as the “Butcher of Tehran,” was responsible for implementing hostile foreign strategies that escalated conflicts with Western nations, as well as oppressive domestic measures to suppress and mistreat the Iranian people, resulting in his widespread unpopularity.
“The United States expresses its official condolences for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and other members of their delegation in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement on Monday.
“As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
“We regret any loss of life. We don’t want to see anyone die in a helicopter crash,” Miller told reporters on Monday.
A profoundly shameful moment at the UN Security Council as the US ambassador stands for a moment of silence to honor the Butcher of Tehran pic.twitter.com/EA2U7oMmt0
— Eitan Fischberger (@EFischberger) May 20, 2024
Raisi, who assumed the presidency in 2021, had an extensive history within the Iranian regime, serving in various capacities.
In 1988, he held the position of a prosecutor and was a member of a panel known as the “death commission.”
This panel was responsible for issuing orders to execute numerous Iranian political prisoners, leading to Raisi being dubbed the “Butcher.”
Amnesty International reported that Raisi took pride in his involvement in these executions, considering it a significant accomplishment of the Iranian regime.
During his tenure as president, Raisi oversaw numerous human rights violations committed by the Iranian regime against its own population.
These violations included extrajudicial killings, executions, arbitrary arrests, and detentions in life-threatening prison conditions. Additionally, torture, kidnapping, repression of political and religious freedoms, and serious government corruption were prevalent under his leadership.
The State Department’s 2023 Reports on Human Rights Practices also revealed Raisi’s involvement in covering up government abuses.
Furthermore, Raisi actively promoted the foreign policies of the Iranian regime, which included maintaining its status as the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. Iranian-backed terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis have carried out numerous attacks against U.S., Israeli, and Western forces.
This was particularly evident after the invasion of Israel by Hamas on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people.
Raisi and the Iranian regime celebrated this event, as reported by Iran International.
“Today’s statement by @StateDept offering “official condolences” after #Iran‘s regime’s president’s death is a symptom of a larger problem. The Biden administration’s Iran policy is adrift,” Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, said on X on Monday.
“It is defined by an extreme and irrational risk aversion.
“It tries to appease everyone at the same time–the regime included–and shoots itself in the foot time and again.”
