Despite offering condolences after his death in a helicopter crash, the White House stated on Monday that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had a “lot of blood on his hands.”
“This was a man who had a lot of blood on his hands,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, attributing Raisi with “atrocious” rights abuses in Iran and support for regional proxies including Hamas.
However, Kirby added, “As in any other case, we certainly regret in general the loss of life and offered official condolences as appropriate.”
Following Raisi’s death, Iran announced it will hold presidential elections on June 28, according to state media.
“The election calendar was approved at the meeting of the heads of the judiciary, government, and parliament,” state television reported.
According to the initial agreement of the Guardian Council, it was decided that the 14th presidential election will be held on June 28.
Raisi, 63, along with his foreign minister and seven others, died when their helicopter crashed into a fog-shrouded mountain in northwestern Iran. The wreckage was found on Monday morning.
The ultraconservative Raisi had served as president since 2021, a period marked by mass protests, an economic crisis exacerbated by US sanctions, and tensions with Israel.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of mourning and stated that Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, 68, would assume interim presidential duties until the elections are held within 50 days.
“The Iranian nation has lost a sincere and valuable servant,” said Khamenei.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran’s Valiasr Square to pay respects to Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
Funeral rites will commence Tuesday in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan province, before Raisi’s body is brought to Tehran.
A funeral procession will take place in the capital on Wednesday morning.
Iran’s military chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri has ordered “a high-ranking committee to launch an investigation into the cause of the president’s helicopter crash.”
