The United States said Monday that Iran had requested its assistance after the helicopter accident that cost the life of Iranian President Ebrahim Raïssi, and offered its condolences while judging that he had “blood on his hands “.
“The Iranian government has asked us for help,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters, even though the United States and Iran have not maintained diplomatic relations since the revolution. from 1979.
“We said we would be willing to help, which we would do for any government in this situation,” the spokesperson added.
Research assistance
“Ultimately, for essentially logistical reasons, we were not able to provide this assistance,” he said, declining to give details on the content of the request or through what channel. communication has been made.
He confirmed, however, that it was to help with the search after the helicopter disappeared on Sunday afternoon while flying over a steep and forested area of Iran in difficult weather conditions, with rain and thick fog. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also died in the crash, along with other officials.
VIDEO – Iran: President Ebrahim Raïssi found dead after his helicopter crash
The accident occurred as the United States and Iran reportedly held low-key talks in Oman recently following clashes between Iran and Israel.
The United States offered its “official condolences” in a State Department statement. “As Iran chooses a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms,” the text added.
The late president “was a man who had a lot of blood on his hands”, “responsible for atrocious human rights violations” in Iran, commented a White House spokesperson, John Kirby.
Regional impact
However, Washington does not see a “broader impact for regional security”. “We continue to monitor the situation, but we have no idea of the cause of the accident,” declared American Minister Lloyd Austin, saying that the United States was “not involved” and that the forces Americans had not changed their posture after the crash.
Former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blamed the accident on persistent US sanctions that have hampered the sale of aviation parts.
Asked about the latter’s remark, the State Department spokesperson replied: “Ultimately, it is the Iranian government that is responsible for the decision to fly a 45-year-old helicopter in what been described as bad weather conditions, and no one else.”
