U.S. says it was 'unable' to provide Iran assistance after helicopter crash that killed President Raisi

US unable to assist Iran after helicopter crash that killed President Raisi; Washington offers condolences, denies involvement.

The United States on Monday said it had been unable, due largely to logistical reasons, to accept an Iranian request for assistance following the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi, as Washington offered its condolences.

The rare request from Iran, which views the United States and Israel as its main adversaries, was disclosed by the State Department at a news briefing.

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"We were asked for assistance by the Iranian government. We did make clear to them that we would offer assistance, as we would do in response to any request by a foreign government in this sort of situation," spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.

"Ultimately, largely for logistical reasons, we were unable to provide that assistance," Mr. Miller said, without elaborating.

The charred wreckage of the helicopter which crashed on Sunday carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six other passengers and crew, was found early on Monday after an overnight search in blizzard conditions.

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