The White House has said that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had “blood on his hands” for supporting extremist groups across the Middle East.
Raisi, 63, was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday as he was travelling back from a visit to northern Iran.
“We’re going to continue to hold Iran accountable for all their destabilizing behavior in the region,” White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said on Monday.
“No question this was a man who had a lot of blood on his hands,” he added.
“The United States will continue to confront Iranian support for terrorism, proliferation of dangerous weapons and advances in its nuclear program following the death of its president in a helicopter crash,” the US State Department said.
“Our approach remains unchanged,” a State Department spokesperson told Reuters on condition of anonymity, saying Washington would keep defending the human rights of the Iranian people.
“We will continue to confront the Iranian regime's support for terrorism, proliferation of dangerous weapons, and advancement of its nuclear program in ways that have no credible civilian purpose,” he added.
US Condolences
The US on Monday offered its “condolences” to Iran.
State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller said in a statement that Washington expresses its “official condolences for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other members of their delegation.”
“As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms,” he added.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin indicated that US forces have not changed their posture after the crash in Iran.
“The United States had no part to play in that crash. I can't speculate on what may have been the cause,” he added.
