After the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19, Iran's First Vice President Mohsen Mansouri will assume the presidency. Raisi's death will have significant consequences - the country is already predicting a wave of potential protests.
The material was prepared by Apostrophe.
Who will act as President
In particular, Tasnim reports that on Monday, May 20, it was officially confirmed that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died - in view of this, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Iranian administration convened an emergency meeting. The Cabinet expressed condolences over the death of the President and his companions in the helicopter crash.
In addition, it is noted that according to the Iranian Constitution, First Vice President of Iran Mohammad Mohber will lead the Cabinet of Ministers. He will serve as acting president for 50 days. The law stipulates that a council consisting of the Parliament speaker, the Judiciary chief, and the first vice president should be formed and make arrangements for the election of a new president within 50 days.
"A delicate moment for Iran"
The British Sky News agency, citing a correspondent, notes that "this is a delicate moment for Iran. President Raisi is the second most important man in Iran, after the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei." Therefore, his death "...will have far-reaching consequences".
Here is how Sky News correspondent Alistair Buncall comments on this:
"After years of anti-government demonstrations, following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, this might be a moment for the protest movement to rise again... Longer term, Raisi's death would have consequences for the supreme leader.."
Buncall notes that Raisi was not "universally popular" in Iran. When he became president for the second time, he received the lowest approval rating since the 1979 revolution.
At the same time, Reuters, citing a senior Iranian official, noted that the helicopter crash comes at a time of growing dissent within Iran over an array of political, social and economic crises. In particular, Iran's politicians are facing international pressure over Tehran's nuclear program and deepening military contacts with Russia during the war in Ukraine.
In addition, Reuters notes that for many years Raisi has been seen by many as a strong contender to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has endorsed Raisi's main policies.
ISW estimate
The Institute for the Study of War estimates that the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will have serious consequences for the succession of the supreme leader. After all, Raisi is considered one of the main contenders - along with Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei - for the post of Iran's supreme leader.
"The next several days have the potential to reshape the immediate and long-term dynamics of the regime, including supreme leader succession. However, Raisi’s death would ultimately not change the regime’s current trajectory toward more hardline and conservative domestic policies and more aggressive regional policies," ISW analysts said.
Earlier, we reported that rescuers found the helicopter of the Iranian President.