US: Sparse Attendance at Ibrahim Raisi Memorial at UN Reflects 'Position of the Islamic Republic in the World'

Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, described the absence of many representatives from UN member countries at the memorial held by the President of the General Assembly for the late Ibrahim Raisi as a 'reflection of the Islamic Republic's position in the world.' During the meeting, only representatives from 90 of the 193 member countries were present at peak attendance. Patel, in a press conference on June 10, responded to a question from the Persian section of Voice of America, adding that the Islamic Republic is recognized as 'the largest exporter of terrorism with a long history' and continues to be involved in provocative and destructive activities that destabilize the region and the world. The UN stated that this ceremony is traditionally held to honor presidents who were in office at the time of their death. The UN General Assembly witnessed a memorial for Ibrahim Raisi on Thursday, despite prior announcements from the US, Australia, and France that they would 'boycott' the event, with representatives from 100 other countries also leaving the hall during the ceremony. Concurrently, three protest groups gathered around the UN headquarters in New York in opposition to the memorial for Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash. According to a Voice of America reporter, the National Council of Resistance associated with the People's Mojahedin Organization, the Coalition Against a Nuclear Iran, and the Solidarity with the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in New York protested the memorial. Meanwhile, in Vienna, a group of human rights activists also gathered in front of the UN building to protest the event. The Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department also commented on the death threat against an Iranian opposition figure by one of its supporters last week, stating that such actions are unacceptable in America. This was part of Patel's response to Voice of America regarding the threat against Siamak Aram, director of the 'National Solidarity for Iran' group, with a 'cutting throat' gesture by a supporter of the Islamic Republic. Patel stated that in the United States, 'representatives of authoritarian regimes cannot openly threaten citizens and remain immune from consequences.' He emphasized that freedom of expression for citizens and civil groups in this country is an undeniable right. The death threat against Siamak Aram occurred on June 4 when he gathered with a group of Iranian opponents of the Islamic Republic in front of a mosque in the Washington suburbs to hold a memorial for Raisi. Patel stressed that the Biden administration has described threats against individuals on US soil as 'intolerable' and will respond seriously. With increasing revelations about the IRGC's role in malicious activities abroad and the killing of opponents domestically, Patel stated in this press conference: 'Let me be very clear, the IRGC is a danger to the world.' This was in response to a question about whether the US agrees with Germany and other countries classifying the IRGC as a terrorist group. Patel stated that the IRGC is a terrorist entity and 'we fully support classifying the IRGC as a terrorist organization worldwide.' Patel also evaded a question about whether the US would collaborate with France, Germany, and the UK next week to pass a resolution against the Islamic Republic at the IAEA Board of Governors. According to him, the Biden administration has not yet made a final decision and continues to coordinate with these three allies, presenting a list of various US pressure tools.