Pentagon: Iranian President's Death Has No Impact on Regional Security

(Patria) - The US Secretary of Defense stated that he does not believe the death of the Iranian president and other important officials will lead to any security impacts in the Middle East.

Addressing reporters at the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that "at this time, I don't necessarily see any broader regional security impacts" as a result of the helicopter crash that killed high-ranking Iranian officials, agencies reported.

He also denied any involvement of his country in the accident. "The United States had no role in that accident. That is a fact, plain and simple."

The helicopter that crashed on Sunday, carrying Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and six others, was found on Sunday night after hours of searching in difficult weather conditions.

Separately, the State Department expressed official condolences over the deaths of the Iranian officials.

"As Iran chooses a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms," said State Department spokesperson Matt Miller.

He stated that Washington's policy towards Iran remains unchanged.

"We will continue to confront the Iranian regime's support for terrorism, proliferation of dangerous weapons, and advancement of its nuclear program in ways that have no credible civilian purpose," Miller said.