US says Iran asked for assistance after Raisi's helicopter crash

State Department says US was unable provide assistance 'largely for logistical reasons'

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US on Monday said the Iranian government asked Washington for assistance after the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials, but it was unable to provide it due to "logistical reasons."

"I'm not going to get into the details, but we were asked by the Iranian government for assistance," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

"We said that we would be willing to assist something that we would do with respect to any government in this situation, ultimately, largely for logistical reasons we were unable to provide that assistance," Miller added.

After a nightlong search operation hampered by bad weather, Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian, and other top officials were declared dead on Monday morning.

Dozens of emergency rescue teams were dispatched to the mountainous area in East Azerbaijan province, where the accident occurred Sunday afternoon.

According to the Iranian Constitution, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume powers of the presidency, and elections will be held within 50 days.

Kaynak:

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