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Iran : Nine people, including Iran’s President Ibrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, died in a helicopter crash on Sunday (May 19, 2024). This was confirmed shortly after the debris of the aircraft was found from the crash site (dense hilly area) in the northern region on Monday (May 20, 2024) morning. Speaking to news agency Reuters, an Iranian official on condition of anonymity said, “Iran’s President, Foreign Minister and everyone else have died in this chopper accident.” According to the country’s ‘Tasnim’ news agency, among the nine people were three officers, an imam and some security team members. Meanwhile, quoting the IRGC-run media outlet ‘Sepah’, CNN reported that the nine people on board included Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azerbaijan province Governor Malik Rahmati, Imam Mohammad Ali Alehsham, pilot, co-pilot, crew-chief, head of security and another body guard.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed concern after media reports about 63-year-old Ibrahim Raisi and his aircraft. He said through a post on social media platform X (earlier Twitter) on Sunday, “I am deeply concerned about the reports related to the helicopter flight of the President of Iran. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of crisis. We pray for the safety of the President and his companions.”
Ibrahim Raisi’s aircraft crashed at a time when discontent is growing in Iran over various political, social and economic crises. Iran’s clerical rulers face international pressure over Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme and its deepening military ties with Russia during the war in Ukraine.
Ebrahim Raisi’s death in Iran leaves things open for power struggle!
The death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has left things open for a power struggle. Whoever succeeds Ayatollah Khamenei will find it difficult to exercise the extensive authority that the supreme leader has.
How does Ebrahim Raisi’s death affect the succession of Iran’s supreme leader?
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei looked upon Ebrahim Raisi as a disciple. Even if he were alive, there was no certainty that Raisi would succeed him as supreme leader. In such a situation, it is understandable that like last time, there will be a power struggle this time too. One drawback of Ebrahim Raisi’s candidacy for the post was his position in the religious order.
Ebrahim Raisi’s clerical rank of Hojat-ol-Eslam was below that of Ayatollah Khamenei, which clearly means that he would have had to improve his qualifications to be seen as the legitimate supreme leader. Although the death of Ibrahim Raisi has certainly changed the situation, it would be premature to predict how the battle to become the supreme leader may proceed. This is more so because in recent years the undisputed power of the supreme leader has faced challenges.
Iran to hold 14th presidential election on June 28
After the death of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, the Iranian government has announced presidential elections. The country’s 14th presidential election will be held on June 28. According to media reports, the date of the presidential election was decided in a meeting of the heads of the judiciary, government and parliament. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed as the acting President of the country.
Article 131 of the Constitution of Iran states that if an Iranian President dies while in office, the Vice President has to take over as the acting President to run the government first. The Vice President has the right to hold power for only 50 days.
A new President has to be elected for Iran within 50 days. Based on the presidential election schedule, registration will be done from May 30 to June 3, 2024. After this, candidates can campaign from June 12 to 27. According to IRNA, the Constitutional Council has preliminarily agreed to the schedule.
Vice-President of India reaches Tehran, pays tribute to Ibrahim Raisi
Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar reaches Iran
Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar reached Tehran, the capital of Iran on Wednesday (May 22). During this, Dhankhar was received by Iranian officials at the airport. Jagdeep Dhankhar will attend the funeral of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H. Aamir Abdullahian.
Ibrahim Raisi will be buried today
A mourning ceremony has been planned in the capital Tehran along with the religious stronghold and pilgrimage city of Qom. Raisi will be buried today (May 23, 2024) at the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Imam of Shia Islam in the Shia center of his hometown Mashhad. Ibrahim Raisi’s death is a big loss – Russian President
Russian President Vladimir Putin said after the death of his Iranian counterpart Ibrahim Raisi that it is a big loss for him. However, he also indicated that he will continue to make efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Will Iran’s administration be disrupted by Ibrahim Raisi’s death?
Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber has stepped in as acting president until new elections are held in Iran. In such a situation, it is expected that the conservative inner circles close to the Supreme Leader will select the preferred candidate for the election, aiming for a smooth transition with minimal challenges. As the Supreme Leader of Iran claimed on X that the country does not need to be worried or upset as the country’s administration will not be disrupted. However, a historical analysis of leadership in the Islamic Republic suggests a recurring trend of power transition between conservatives and reformists, which creates a sense of balance in Iranian politics and promotes the public legitimacy of the regime. In such a situation, even if Ibrahim Raisi’s successor will be nominated and supported by the conservative inner circles, he may adopt a somewhat liberal stance. People like the current parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, or former speaker Ali Larijani (both of whom are liberal conservatives) fit this mold.
Matthew Miller said- Ibrahim Raisi’s record has not changed, his hands were stained with blood
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller clarified that America is very clear that Ibrahim Raisi was involved in suppressing the Iranian people for four decades, but it (America) regrets the death of anyone in an accident like a helicopter crash. Ibrahim Raisi’s record as a judge and president in Iran has not changed and “the fact that his hands were stained with blood has also not changed.”
The US, which is called a superpower in the world, refuses to help Iran, said – we are not capable
The Iranian government has sought help from the US to investigate the chopper accident in which nine people, including President Ibrahim Raisi, lost their lives. However, America will not help due to ‘logistic’ reasons. This information has been given by a senior US diplomat. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller clarified in a press conference on Monday that the US helps in such situations when foreign governments request it, but the US is not capable of helping it in any way. To a large extent, Iran is not being helped due to ‘logistic’ reasons.
How will India remember Ibrahim Raisi? S Jaishankar told
Union Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar visited the Iranian Embassy in Delhi on Tuesday. During this, he expressed deep condolences on behalf of India on the death of President Ibrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hussain Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash. S Jaishankar said on ‘X’, “Visited the Embassy of Iran in Delhi today to express deep condolences on the sad demise of President Ibrahim Raisi and my colleague Foreign Minister Hussain Amir-Abdollahian.” According to the Indian Foreign Minister, “They (Raisi and Abdullahian) will always be remembered as friends of India who contributed greatly to the development of India-Iran relations.”
