Reuters. The U.S. State Department on Monday (May 20) said Iran asked Washington for assistance after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crashed in mountains near the Azerbaijan border, but ultimately the U.S. was unable to provide help largely for logistical reasons.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, speaking to reporters, said Raisi's death does not change the fundamental U.S. stance toward Iran.
"We will continue to support the people of Iran to defend their human rights, their aspirations to an open, free society and democratic participation," Miller said as the U.S. expressed its "official condolences."
