Iran's Stability Threatened by US after President's Death

Congressman Michael Waltz emphasizes the need for the US to instill fear in Iran following the mysterious death of President Ebrahim Raisi, as rumors of Israeli involvement circulate.

Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) has urged the United States to take action that would make Iran concerned about its own stability in the wake of President Ebrahim Raisi's sudden death. Waltz's call comes amid speculation and disinformation surrounding the circumstances of Raisi's passing, including rumors of Israeli involvement.

A French TV channel reported a "rumor" that Raisi was assassinated by an Israeli agent known as "Eli Kopter." The misinformation originated from an account affiliated with Hamas' military wing, which initially blamed the Israeli Secret Intelligence Service for the helicopter crash in the Bam Rural District.

Despite the absence of an official cause for the crash or any suggestion of sabotage from Iranian authorities, the disinformation gained traction when a political analyst at i24 News France mentioned the rumors on air. Fox News contacted i24 for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

Raisi, known as "The Butcher of Tehran," and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were among the officials confirmed dead on Monday after their helicopter crashed in northwestern Iran. The deaths have left the Islamic Republic without two key leaders amidst significant tensions in the Middle East.

Hamas, Iran's proxy group, is engaged in an ongoing conflict with Israel, which began with terrorist attacks on October 7. Raisi had previously predicted more attacks, and in April, Iran launched drones into Israeli territory.

Following the attacks, Iran's UN mission in New York issued a statement suggesting that Israel could prevent further escalation by considering the conflict "concluded." The mission warned that Iran's response would be severe if Israel continued hostilities.

Amidst this backdrop, Waltz stressed the importance of the US taking action to destabilize Iran. He justified this approach by pointing to Iran's support for terrorism, which he said threatens American interests. Waltz argued that the US should expose Iran's vulnerabilities and make it clear that there would be consequences for its actions.

The deaths of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian have created a leadership vacuum in Iran at a time of heightened tensions. The US is closely monitoring the situation and assessing its options for responding to Iran's ongoing threats.