Senate Republicans Call Ebrahim Raisi 'Butcher of Tehran' and Condemn Biden's Condolences for His Death; Blinken Under Pressure from Criticism

U.S. politicians, mainly Republicans, continued their opposition to President Joe Biden's condolences for the death of the thirteenth president of the Islamic Republic, Ebrahim Raisi, referring to him as the 'Butcher of Tehran' and condemning expressions of sympathy for his passing. In this context, senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated during a Senate hearing with Secretary of State Antony Blinken that no one should mourn the death of the 'Butcher of Tehran.' Graham added, 'Raisi's presidency was a period of oppression for Iranian women and girls, and there were military attacks on Israel from within Iran. I will not send condolences for the death of the Butcher of Tehran; instead, I express my condolences to the victims of the Butcher of Tehran and all those who are still oppressed and targeted by the Ayatollah and his associates.' Senator John Barrasso, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also criticized Biden's condolences, calling it a 'terrible mistake' and stating, 'I find it shocking that this administration mourns the death of the Butcher of Tehran and sits in mourning for a killer who has targeted, threatened, and attacked many Americans.' He added to the Iranian people, 'We stand with you and pray for your liberation from the Ayatollahs.' Republican Senator Ted Cruz also criticized the Biden administration's policy towards the Islamic Republic, labeling Ebrahim Raisi as the 'Butcher of Tehran' and emphasizing, 'The world is a better place without him.' Mitch McConnell, the Republican minority leader in the Senate, remarked that Iranians would prefer Western politicians to refrain from praising the 'Butcher of Tehran.' In response to the criticisms regarding the condolences for Raisi's death, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, 'Washington's position towards Tehran has not changed, and the U.S. State Department has expressed condolences for Raisi's death, which has precedent.' He added that this is a protocol that exists for leaders of various countries, both enemies and friends. The White House National Security Advisor for Communications defended Washington's condolences to Tehran, stating, 'Raisi was responsible for severe human rights violations in his country and was undoubtedly a man whose hands were heavily stained with blood. Nevertheless, we generally express sorrow for the loss of any individual, and as we have done in similar situations, we will issue formal condolences if necessary.' He emphasized that President Biden's policy towards the Islamic Republic has not changed. Meanwhile, several Republican members of the House of Representatives condemned the State Department's condolences for Raisi's death in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In this letter, which was published on Wednesday on the website of Claudia Tenney, a representative from New York, they reminded that Ebrahim Raisi is referred to as the 'Butcher of Tehran.' The letter, signed by Tenney and 11 other Republican representatives, stated that Ebrahim Raisi was 'on the U.S. terrorism list and was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury.'