According to Xinhua News Agency, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was asked by the media on the 20th whether the US side was worried that Iran would blame the US side for the crash respond "The United States did not play any role in the crash."

According to the Voice of the Straits microblog, Austin made the above remarks at a briefing jointly held with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Army, Gordon Brown. He said that the accident was "very unfortunate" and that the United States would wait for the results of Iran's investigation of the crash.

　　 Austin said he was "unable to speculate about the possible reasons". Austin also played down the concern of the United States that the crash of Iran's president and others may have a direct impact on Middle East security. "At present, I do not see any possible and broader regional security impact."

Matthew Miller, spokesman of the US State Department, said on the 20th that after the helicopter crash of the Iranian president on the 19th, Iran had asked the US to participate in the rescue, but the US was "unable" to provide assistance "mainly for logistical reasons".

The helicopter of Iranian President Said Ibrahim Lehi and other personnel on their way to Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, crashed on the 19th. After several hours of searching, the Iranian government confirmed on the 20th that Lech and his crew were all killed.

Miller said at a regular press conference held on the 20th that after the helicopter crash of Lech, the Iranian government asked the United States to provide assistance, "we clearly informed that under such circumstances, we would be willing to provide assistance to any foreign government's request... Finally, most of the reasons for logistics, we are unable to provide assistance".

Miller did not disclose further details.

Reuters reported that it is "rare" for Iran to make such a request to the United States, which it regards as its main enemy.

According to the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency, Mohammed Hussain Bageri, chief of the general staff of the Iranian armed forces, said he had investigated the crash. Investigators have arrived at the crash site for investigation, and the results will be announced after the investigation.

Iranian officials have not yet issued a statement on the cause of the crash of the American made Bel-212 helicopter that Lech was riding.

Source: Xinhua News Agency, Voice of the Straits, etc

Editor in charge: Chen Yan SN225