US offers condolences, criticism in aftermath of Iranian president’s death

The White House on Monday offered its condolences over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, while simultaneously criticizing his human rights record and rejecting the suggestion that U.S. sanctions on Iran played a role in the crash.

The State Department expressed its “official condolences” for the death of Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others who died in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran. White House spokesperson John Kirby reiterated those condolences.