Following a devastating helicopter crash in Iran’s mountainous northwest, President Ebrahim Raisi, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and several others, was tragically declared dead on Monday. The confirmation came after a lengthy search operation, with rescuers discovering the wreckage but finding no signs of life. This official announcement arrived over 14 hours after the incident unfolded on Sunday evening.
Raisi’s journey began in 1960 in Mashhad, Iran, where he was born into a devout Shia Muslim family. Rising through the ranks of Iran’s Shia clergy, he faced grave accusations from human rights organizations for his involvement in a panel responsible for the execution of numerous political prisoners in Tehran in 1988, near the end of the Iran-Iraq War. Prior to his presidency, Raisi served as deputy head of the judiciary for ten years before assuming the position of prosecutor-general in 2014, earning him sanctions from the United States for alleged human rights violations.
In 2019, Raisi received a significant appointment from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who selected him as judiciary chief, a role of immense influence. Additionally, Raisi served as deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, tasked with electing the next Supreme Leader. Despite an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2017, Raisi secured the presidency in 2021, positioning himself as a potential successor to the aging Khamenei.
With Raisi’s untimely demise, Iran faces a critical transition in leadership. As outlined in Article 131 of the Islamic Republic’s constitution, Mohammad Mokhber, Iran’s first vice president, will assume the presidency with Khamenei’s approval. This provision necessitates a new presidential election within 50 days, with Mokhber, alongside parliamentary and judiciary leaders, responsible for overseeing the process. Consequently, the presidential elections, originally slated for 2025, are expected to occur much sooner, likely by July. Mokhber, born in 1955, is anticipated to fulfill the duties of interim president until the elections are held.
A figure closely aligned with Khamenei, Mokhber brings substantial experience to the role, having been elected vice president in 2021. He played a pivotal role in crucial national decisions, including Iran’s agreement to supply surface-to-surface missiles and additional drones to Russia’s military during a visit to Moscow in October of the previous year, as reported by Reuters.
The sudden loss of President Raisi not only marks a profound tragedy but also initiates a significant period of transition for Iran, characterized by an early presidential election and the installation of an interim president, amidst ongoing geopolitical complexities.
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