NATO, the U.S.-led military alliance of Western nations, expressed condolences to the Iranian people for the death of their president, Ebrahim Raisi, after he and other high-level officials were killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
NATO spokeswoman Farah Dakhlallah posted on X: “Our condolences to the people of #Iran for the death of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and others who perished in the helicopter crash.”
Our condolences to the people of #Iran for the death of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and others who perished in the helicopter crash.
— NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah (@NATOpress) May 20, 2024
The expression of such condolences stunned Western officials, Israelis, and Iranian dissidents — who said they were actually celebrating his death.
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) posted sarcastically, “My condolences to the people of Iran for losing the opportunity to bring the Butcher of Tehran to justice for his crimes.”
My condolences to the people of Iran for losing the opportunity to bring the Butcher of Tehran to justice for his crimes. https://t.co/DFJyBcqJtc
— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) May 20, 2024
Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) posted, “Raisi was a murderous autocrat who brutally repressed the people of Iran. He was the architect of Iran’s state sponsorship of terrorism and does not deserve NATO & the free world’s condolences.”
Raisi was a murderous autocrat who brutally repressed the people of Iran.
He was the architect of Iran’s state sponsorship of terrorism and does not deserve NATO & the free world’s condolences. https://t.co/EwhFHBnRP8
— Rep. Pat Fallon (@RepPatFallon) May 20, 2024
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) weighed in, “This is absurd. NATO is offering condolences for the death of a terrorist.”
This is absurd.
NATO is offering condolences for the death of a terrorist. https://t.co/iLSKlMwDPq
— Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) May 20, 2024
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) commented, “Our tax dollars at work overseas…”
Our tax dollars at work overseas… https://t.co/1CSALyCG9D
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) May 21, 2024
“What!?!? NATO should NOT be offering condolences to bloodthirsty, terrorist-supporting tyrants,” Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) exclaimed. “Not to mention, multiple NATO nations were just shooting down hundreds of Iranian drones launched at Israel & international shipping in the Red Sea!”
What!?!? NATO should NOT be offering condolences to bloodthirsty, terrorist-supporting tyrants
Not to mention, multiple NATO nations were just shooting down hundreds of Iranian drones launched at Israel & international shipping in the Red Sea! https://t.co/MQ6Yyua88w
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) May 20, 2024
Former Trump administration officials were also incredulous.
Former top Trump administration official and former U.S. ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell posted, “The people of Iran are celebrating — most of them have to do it privately because they don’t have freedoms.”
The people of Iran are celebrating – most of them have to do it privately because they don’t have freedoms. https://t.co/nEr0tVb4Sc
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) May 20, 2024
Robert Greenway, a former Trump administration official and expert at the Heritage Foundation, posted, “Really? The ‘Butcher of Tehran’ and an IRGC officer? Both were instrumental in providing Russia with drones and missiles now threatening Europe. The people of Iran are celebrating their demise and so should NATO.”
Really? The “Butcher of Tehran” and an IRGC officer? Both were instrumental in providing Russia with drones and missiles now threatening Europe.
The people of Iran are celebrating their demise and so should NATO. https://t.co/K6EnNzchE2
— Robert Greenway (@RC_Greenway) May 20, 2024
A number of former NATO officials also weighed in.
Marshall Billingsea posted, “As a former @NATO Assistant Secretary General, I am flabbergasted by this tweet. This is completely inappropriate [sic] on so many levels.”
As a former @NATO Assistant Secretary General, I am flabbergasted by this tweet.
This is completely inappropriate on so many levels. https://t.co/dZiuH977UR
— Marshall S. Billingslea (@M_S_Billingslea) May 20, 2024
Belgian official Theo Francken posted, “NATO condolences for the death of a butcher and cruel mass murderer? This is a true enemy of the West and our Alliance. You don’t speak in my name.”
NATO condolences for the death of a butcher and cruel mass murderer? This is a true enemy of the West and our Alliance.
You don’t speak in my name. 👎@jensstoltenberg @Mircea_Geoana @natopapress
— Theo Francken MP (@FranckenTheo) May 20, 2024
Iranian dissidents and exiles also blasted the post.
Nazanin Boniadi, an Iranian-British actress and activist, posted, “I can’t imagine how the survivors of Raisi & co.’s brutalities must feel reading this. Well, at least we know where all these institutions stand now. For shame.”
I can’t imagine how the survivors of Raisi & co.’s brutalities must feel reading this.
Well, at least we know where all these institutions stand now. For shame. https://t.co/X9H9m1U90L
— Nazanin Boniadi (@NazaninBoniadi) May 20, 2024
An Israeli government account added, “NATO needs a new spokesperson.”
NATO needs a new spokesperson. https://t.co/JVhYosbRQy
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) May 20, 2024
