Biden State Department expresses condolences to Iran for death of ‘Butcher of Tehran’ Ebrahim Raisi

Raisi died during a helicopter crash over the weekend. After the events, the US State Department sent out a press release expressing condolences to the nation which is normally seen as adversarial to the United States.

"The United States expresses its official condolences for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and other members of their delegation in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran," the press release stated. "As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms."

The crash occurred on Sunday with a spokesman telling Al Jazeera that foggy conditions had caused them to halt a search after the crash occurred. “Unfortunately, continuing aerial operations was no longer possible due to intense fog across the region."

A "crash landing" of the helicopter was reported to have happened in Iran's East Azerbaijan province as President Raisi on his way to Tabriz after visiting the Iran-Azerbaijan border.

Among Raisi there were others in the crash, namely Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmatiand, Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, state media said.

Many online slammed the State Department for publishing its condolences for a well-known adversarial nation's leader. "The US State Department actually published a statement offering condolences to Iran," user Shaun Maguire, posted.

"The Islamic Regime in Iran has been one of America’s top adversaries for the past 20+ years This is an absolute gut punch for anyone that served in Afghanistan," he added. Iranian leaders have been reported chanting "Death to America" multiple times and did so after the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.