Isfahan, Iran seeks US aid following helicopter accident.
While returning from Azerbaijan, unexpectedly, the radar loses track of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter. The search proves to be challenging. Tehran then appealed to its sworn adversary for help and reached out to the U.S. The U.S. government stepped forward, affirming its readiness to provide aid in such situations.
After the outrageous crash of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter, Tehran made an unusual move and approached its long-standing adversary, the U.S., for aid. Washington acknowledged receiving the request for help from the Iranian government. "We were asked by the Iranian government for assistance," explained State Department spokesman Matthew Miller in Washington. "We said we were willing to help - something we would do for any government in a similar situation."
Unfortunately, due to logistical constraints, the U.S. was unable to provide the much-needed help. Miller dodged discussing specifics regarding communication between the two countries who have no diplomatic rapport since the Iranian Revolution in 1979.
Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin brought light to the helicopter crash, stating that all indicators pointed to the incident being an accident. Potential culprits behind the mishap could be mechanical malfunction, pilot error, or a multitude of factors. "Whatever it might be, the U.S. had no role in it. That's a fact," he stated unequivocally.
Previously, high-ranking Iranian officials tended to point the finger at Israel, or the U.S., whenever security incidents occurred in Iran. On this particular day, former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Jawad Sarif linked the helicopter crash with the U.S. trade restrictions that prevent the sale of aviation parts.
In response to Sarif's comments, Miller addressed the media, stating, "Ultimately, it's the Iranian government that is responsible for the decision to fly in adverse conditions with a 45-year-old helicopter."
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Despite the U.S.'s willingness to aid Iran in the aftermath of President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter mishap, the ongoing sanctions pose a significant challenge. Sarif, a former Iranian Foreign Minister, suggested that the trade restrictions, specifically the prohibition on aviation part sales, could have contributed to the incident.
Source: www.ntv.de
