Abuja, May 21, 2024 – The United States says the late Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, had a “lot of blood on his hands.”
The White House disclosed this on Monday in a condolence message after Raisi’s death.
Raisi and some officials were involved in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Raisi was responsible for “atrocious” rights abuses in Iran and had supported regional proxies, including Hamas.
Addressing reporters, Kirby said: “This was a man who had a lot of blood on his hands.”
Kirby, however, said: “As in any other case, we certainly regret in general the loss of life and offer official condolences as appropriate.”
Earlier, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announced on Monday five days of mourning for President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash.
“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” said Khamenei in an official statement a day after the death of Raisi.
