US Expresses Condolences for Death of Iranian President

The United States expressed its “official condolences” Monday for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials in a helicopter crash, the State Department said.

“As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms,” department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he did not have insight into the cause of the helicopter crash that killed Raisi, adding that he did not necessarily see any broader impact on regional security.

“I can’t speculate on what may have been the cause,” Austin told reporters.