Increased Criticism of Raisi's Presence in New York; American Senator Calls Him 'Butcher of Tehran'

As Ibrahim Raisi attends the United Nations in New York, a Republican senator referred to him as the 'Butcher of Tehran.' Senator Joni Ernst criticized Raisi's presence and his delegation in the U.S., stating, 'The Butcher of Tehran is currently on U.S. soil with an approved visa while being on the U.S. sanctions list, traveling to New York and engaging in propaganda at the United Nations.' During a weekly Senate press conference on Tuesday, Ernst added, 'We all remember September 11, the day our nation suffered the largest terrorist attack on its soil, yet this September 11, Joe Biden sent $6 billion to the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism, putting more Americans at risk by greenlighting violent activities and increasing the nuclear capabilities of the Islamic Republic.' Gilad Erdan, Israel's ambassador to the UN, who moved towards Raisi holding a photo of Mahsa Amini during Raisi's speech and then left the hall, posted on his account on 'X' a display of images of victims of the Islamic Republic in New York, stating, 'Iranian leaders seek to suppress, starve, and kill their own people, export terror, and pursue nuclear weapons. Now the world must wake up and listen to the voices of vulnerable Iranians and hold this regime accountable for its crimes.' Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the State Department, emphasized during a press conference on Wednesday, September 13, in response to criticism regarding Raisi's entry into the U.S., the tradition of hosting foreign representatives regardless of their countries' policies. He also addressed concerns about 'unlimited movements of Islamic Republic diplomats in New York,' stating that there are currently no plans to reinstate previous restrictions.