Just hours after it was confirmed that a helicopter crash had claimed the life of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi — better known as the Butcher of Tehran — the U.S. State Department under President Joe Biden was offering “official condolences” on his loss.
The memo was sent out by State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller and read, in part, “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. As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
As some were quick to point out, Raisi — who earned his nickname when he presided over mass political executions in the late 1980s — was also “overseeing the Ministry of Intelligence’s efforts to assassinate former U.S. diplomats, including Secretary [of State Antony] Blinken’s predecessor, Mike Pompeo” among others.
The @statedept send its condolences on the death of Ebrahim Raisi.
Raisi was overseeing the Ministry of Intelligence’s efforts to assassinate senior former U.S. diplomats, including Secretary Blinken’s predecessor, @mikepompeo, and my former boss Brian Hook. pic.twitter.com/O43cEOyVCs
— Gabriel Noronha (@GLNoronha) May 20, 2024
“This is crazy. What is going on? Did we send condolences to Germany when Hitler died?” Bill Ackman wondered.
This is crazy. What is going on?
Did we send condolences to Germany when Hitler died? https://t.co/POG9jG3NHV
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) May 20, 2024
“The @StateDept also would like to express condolences to the family of Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini and Karl Marx,” Jim Miller added.
The @StateDept also would like to express condolences to the family of Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini and Karl Marx. https://t.co/vrg4PFrvyM
— Cap’n Jim Miller🇺🇸 (@FunnyJim1965) May 20, 2024
Critics also pointed out the fact that the United Nations Security Council had also held a “moment of silence” in honor of the deceased president — whose country is the number-one sponsor of terrorism worldwide.
The U.N. National Security Council held a Moment of Silence today for the Late President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi also known as the “Butcher of Tehran” who Died yesterday in a Helicopter Crash in Northwestern Iran. pic.twitter.com/ijAwOmimQf
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 20, 2024
NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah offered a similar message, prompting a response from Derrick Van Orden: “This is absurd. NATO is offering condolences for the death of a terrorist.”
This is absurd.
NATO is offering condolences for the death of a terrorist. https://t.co/iLSKlMwDPq
— Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) May 20, 2024