The death of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, along with eight others, in a helicopter crash on May 19 has created significant political turbulence in Iran. The incident, which occurred in heavy fog, has led to widespread speculation about the future of Iran's leadership and its foreign policy. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has claimed that the large crowds mourning Raisi demonstrate popular support for the government, despite banning protests. The crash has prompted a snap presidential election scheduled for June 28, with several candidates emerging, including conservative Saeed Jalili and former speaker Ali Larijani. Reformist politician Masoud Pezeshkian has also announced his candidacy. Additionally, Ali Shamkhani has been tasked with handling Iran's nuclear negotiations. The geopolitical implications of Raisi's death extend beyond Iran, potentially affecting its relations with Turkey and other regional powers. Notably, celebrations and fireworks among Raisi's critics in Tehran were observed following the crash.
Iranian television broadcasts recording of last contact with Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter before it crashed last week https://t.co/NJ9m6WfkpV
"Turkey’s declaring a national mourning day and its praise for Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will not paper over the many geopolitical tensions between the two countries," @barinkayaoglu writes https://t.co/eMMwr8v5RY
A hardliner professor of humanities, who also holds a position in the Expediency Council, writes a letter to three Ayatollahs (Arafi, Araki and Mirbagheri) asking them to run for the presidency and to offer "Islamic-Iranian" governance as opposed to "Western neoliberalism" https://t.co/bmpFUdUFr6
Iran television airs recording of last contact with Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter before deadly crash https://t.co/NJ9m6WfkpV
Iran has issued the directive for the country's 14th presidential election process following the death of late President Ebrahim Raisi on May 19. The election will be held on June 28, the official news agency IRNA reported. https://t.co/AldcGl981O
Iran’s presidency is a hollow office, save for its proximity to Supreme Leader Khamenei. That matters, because the specter of succession has been haunting Iranian politics ever since the octogenarian Khamenei was diagnosed with cancer. https://t.co/BQe9QjPc8U
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday did not reject or confirm media reports that Ali Shamkhani has been put in charge of nuclear negotiations. But Iranian outlets are interpreting his comments as a tacit confirmation of the matter. https://t.co/jyC5DlGte8 https://t.co/TydOz4OPch
Ali Larijani, the former speaker of Iran's Parliament, did not reject media reports that he will run for president in the June 28 snap elections. "We'll see," he replied when asked about these allegations. Former IRGC Chief Mohsen Rezaei, however, says he won't run this time.
Iran releases new footage of President Raisi hours before his chopper crashed #iranipresident #ebrahimraisí #Raisi #ChopperCrash https://t.co/mwgsQCWCDw
The Paydari Front, the ultrahardliner organization with deep pockets and influence, has decided NOT to support Saeed Jalili and instead back the candidacy of Parviz Fattah for presidency, some Iranian outlets are reporting.
One potential reformist presidential candidate you hear less about: Mohsen Hashemi, eldest son of the late Ayatollah Rafsanjani & former head of Tehran's city council. Probably best known for heading the Tehran metro for years. Unlikely Guardian Council would allow him to run https://t.co/riub1CzSPD
A couple of weeks ago, when I wrote about Javad Zarif's potential political ambition, I didn't think Iran would have a presidential election just a month later! Zarif constantly denies wanting to run but this doesn't stop many asking for it. https://t.co/gWWkcpEnSz
Parviz Fattah is said to be be running for president. I wrote about him in 2020, when he was also a likely candidate although he eventually didn't run: https://t.co/v3oAwlH9CW
"More than a week after the death of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, new and conflicting details about the incident continue to surface, leaving the circumstances of the helicopter crash shrouded in uncertainty," writes @NavidHamzavi. https://t.co/uhyJbaEDdA
“Because Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed while serving the nation, the government declared him a martyr. In a country facing external challenges, his death while on duty will resonate with many citizens, particularly the regime’s base.” https://t.co/FYXquiPRes
As Iranian state media reported on 20 May, President Ebrahim Raisi & Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were among those killed in a helicopter crash the previous day. What comes next and how Iran moves forward raises countless questions 👇 https://t.co/iz6o578y3m
Iran tightens internet controls amid leadership crisis post-Raisi's death with many Iranians openly celebrating his demise online. Cloudflare data show restrictions imposed by Iran on May 19, shortly after news of the chopper's crash broke. https://t.co/d70AuLjE2Y
Armenia PM's Chopper Scare After Raisi's Death | Watch Chilling Video| What Caused Forced Landing? #TNDIGITALVIDEOS https://t.co/RTGgkmGEYc
"Could Raisi's death be a turning point for Iran?" ✍️ Opinion by @SShahidsaless https://t.co/exxNEDaOe7 https://t.co/aYuqbmkeKJ
Amirhossein Sabeti, hardliner TV host and incoming Tehran MP, is showing support to Saeed Jalili, comparing him to the two “martyred” presidents, Rajayi and Rayisi https://t.co/Q4RL7IsIDE
⚡️BREAKING Saeed Jalili, considered a nightmare scenario for Western governments due to his stance on nuclear issues, is running for the presidency of Iran https://t.co/UPz7ywsZmE
The situation in the Middle East is unfolding to make Palestine more isolated and militant, including Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's recent death in a helicopter crash. https://t.co/APxbNxdfCQ
Opinion: The death of Iran’s president could change the world https://t.co/7VPthEZFhc
NEW: Ahead of 2021 presidential vote, ex-speaker Ali Larijani was mulled as Rouhani's successor. His disqualification came as a shock. Following Raisi's death, he could be making political comeback. @amwajmedia has learned of meeting with Khamenei. But.. https://t.co/18T4cXhT98
BIG: Iranian media is abuzz with rumors that ex-national security advisor Shamkhani has been re-tasked with running the nuclear file. Shift happened prior to chopper crash that killed President Raisi. @SaeedAzimi1772 has details on underlying dynamics: https://t.co/f767va5Yzi
Now that the president of Iran is confirmed killed in a fiery helicopter crash, was it his boss Ayatollah Ali Khameiniwho killed him so that his son can inherit the supreme leadership rather than Raisi? Listen… https://t.co/0ixf7gC4sr
Raisi’s death will pause but not end Turkey-Iran geopolitical rivalry By @barinkayaoglu https://t.co/ErEMgYvMP5
Afshon Ostovar joined the WarCast to discuss the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi last Sunday. https://t.co/92O24YteB1
Quillette contrubutor @paulmmonk makes three observations about the death of Raisi: 1. Raisi’s death is one more destabilising factor in the already volatile social situation in Iran. 2. Raisi was not just president and heir-apparent to Grand Ayatollah, he was also Khamenei’s… https://t.co/M50L7HoYzu
Iranian Reformist Front has yet to decide on its positions on the upcoming presidential elections, says leading figure Azar Mansoori https://t.co/shb1fJoRxD
A reformist calls for candidacy of one of the following, saying that they’d be especially important if they’d have to face a Trump presidency: Rouhani, Larijani, Zarif, Tayyebnia, Jahangiri, Pezeshkian and Zangeneh https://t.co/4zeXEbH4vv
"Far more significant than the death of Raisi will be the succession to the Supreme Leader after the death of the 85-year-old Ali Khamenei. His significance cannot be understated." For Iran, Ebrahim Raisi's death 'too shall pass', writes @tgoudsouzian 👇 https://t.co/Lat95MSKq8
Interesting choice. Ali Shamkhani, former minister of defense, was on a committee that approved Iran’s early plan to build five nuclear weapons. The Supreme Council for Advanced Technologies approved the plan in 1999 or early 2000. https://t.co/3uQX1B0Vs9 https://t.co/MAiTGorqls
Iran presidential election: up to 20 possible contenders gear up for battle https://t.co/0Si9CUTEk0
As citizens' living conditions continue to worsen, pro-gov't Iranian media have intensified their praise for the late President Raisi's "successes" following his death in a helicopter crash. @dalgakhatinoglu has explored Raisi's economic legacy here. https://t.co/IE2kf23JWz
While there is little reason to expect foreign policy changes, Ebrahim Raisi's death could trigger power struggles inside Iran's political system. Here's how 👇 https://t.co/iz6o578y3m
The hard-line Shiite cleric Ebrahim Raisi was seen as a possible successor to Iran’s supreme leader. Mr. Raisi’s death comes at a moment of turbulence for a country facing a deepening conflict with Israel. https://t.co/7yX0ada4qj
Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar discusses the recent death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi—and argues that the late president’s successor is likely to maintain Iran’s current trajectory: https://t.co/ChBi5EvfIw
Recommended: The Death of an Iranian President Affirms a Lesson From History:The Establishment Comes First Iran has learned not to tie the system too tightly to a single ruler, which is why the state has proved stronger than individuals by @alihashem_tv https://t.co/wCAkMiuV2C
The Iranian TV aired a 12 minutes report on the helicopter crash that killed president Ebrahim Raisi, FM AmirAbdollahian, and their companions. The video shows the moment the minister of energy spoke over the phone with Ayatollah Al Hashem who died later as a result of the… https://t.co/lXamm6pMNi
#ICYMI: Reactions From Russian, Chinese, And North Korean Heads Of State To Iranian President #Raisi's Death: 'I Will Always Cherish The Fond Memories Of This Wonderful Man' – Audio of report here https://t.co/Q9CUfMpiYS #MEMRI https://t.co/ADSQFbiR8i
Ali Shamkhani, the former secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, has been put in charge of Tehran's nuclear negotiations with the West, replacing @Bagheri_Kani who's now serving as Iran's acting foreign minister, journalists close to Iran's government are… https://t.co/hWEnktbwIP
Two interesting rumors circulating in Tehran right now: - Ali Larijani has received the green light that if he runs for president, the Guardian Council won't disqualify him; and - Ali Shamkhani has been handed the nuclear file and negotiations https://t.co/auAYJ7hLuh
Former key Rouhani advisor poses a question for the upcoming presidential race: “Who can run Iran better while it faces Trump?” Tehran’s assumption will very well be a second Trump presidency https://t.co/5Ne3aegYl1
Last Sunday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash alongside the country’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Afshon Ostovar joined the WarCast to tell us more. https://t.co/hIUrjK2h0p
Head of an important news outlet in Iran says that, since three months ago, the nuclear negotiations have been taken away from the foreign ministry and given to Ali Shamkhani, former national security advisor, historically close to centrists although a foe of Zarif https://t.co/FqidRpP5Lb
Iranian media are widely speculating about the Guardian Council’s strategy for setting the stage for the election of Raisi’s successor in the June 28 elections. The reports mainly suggest that three scenarios are likely to unfold. Here's what to expect. https://t.co/VhBf5AHQoZ
Khamenei is already paranoid. The death of one of his closest allies will make him double down on his legacy, @dpatrikarakos: 👇 https://t.co/ye2Zd5JEiN
Saeed Jalili has officially declared he'll be running for president https://t.co/lWxU3DMtgX
That strange time when Varoufakis retweeted Saeed Jalili.... an #Iran hardliner who has just declared he will be running for president https://t.co/m97kzMjTgg
Saeid Jalili, the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in the Supreme National Security Council and a former chief nuclear negotiator, will run for president in Iran's June 28 snap election, the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency reported. https://t.co/DmyVT2AQXO https://t.co/UoD6e32FXa
If the upcoming Iran elections ends up becoming a race between Saeed Jalili and Ali Larijani, many reformists will try to push people to go vote for Larijani. Doubtful it will work. Will be interesting to see if 'many reformists' will include big names such as Khatami or Zarif
Ebrahim Raisi was not the most powerful man in Iran, and King Salman is arguably not the most powerful in Saudi Arabia. Yet the death of the former and the illness of the latter both herald a moment of real change in the region https://t.co/YJkGp43vlz 👇
Conservative politicians Parviz Fattah, Mehrdad Bazrpash, and Alireza Zakani are preparing their presidential campaigns and will most likely run for the office in the June 28 snap elections, the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim reported, citing sources. Fattah, a former IRGC officer, is… https://t.co/55m4oToQ97
🇮🇷⚡️ Fars News Agency has reported that Dr. Saeed Jalili will be running for President of Iran. Jalili is a Conservative politician, best known for being Iran's Former Chief Nuclear Negotiator. He is currently the Leader's Representative in the Supreme National Security Councul. https://t.co/3miCX6fyEO
In less than 50 days, Iran will have a new president Iranian men and women (Conservatives and Moderates) can apply to the Constitutional Council for the office of president. Candidates will then be screened by the Guardian Council (a 12-member body made up of six clerics and… https://t.co/ifAuXiur4O
Mojtaba Zolnouri, a conservative cleric from Qom, has announced his candidacy for the speakership of the Iranian parliament. Zolnouri previously held roles within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and served as chairman of the Nuclear Subcommittee. https://t.co/NzLTFJWS8c
Iranian 'reformist' politician and MP Masoud Pezeshkian, who was barred by the Guardian Council from running for presidency previously, has announced his bid for presidency in the upcoming snap elections following Raisi's death. https://t.co/9UqbvfVKHG
“Shortly before embarking on a fatal helicopter ride, #Iran’s president, Raisi, & his delegation of senior officials held a communal prayer. Someone suggested having lunch, but president demurred, saying he was in a hurry…” reports @farnazfassihi https://t.co/Id9O4lSccL
What After Raisi? What Happens To India's Ties With Iran Now? Why Delhi Will Watch Succession Plan? #TNDIGITALVIDEOS #Iran #EbrahimRaisi #IndiaIranRelations #ForeignPolicy https://t.co/UOHExNt9y4
Video published by Iranian TV, of the moments of the president’s Chief of Staff’s conversation with Ayatollah Al Hashem (who was on board of the helicopter) after the helicopter accident. It also shows additional scenes of when the heli was first observed. https://t.co/Vq4nahtgWq
For the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi's death 'too shall pass' 🖊 @tgoudsouzian https://t.co/Lat95MSKq8
How Raisi’s death will impact Turkey-Iran geopolitical rivalry https://t.co/Yl8m1lcXtZ by @barinkayaoglu
The face of fear: As the Iranian government frantically tried to determine the fate of President Raisi and his crashed helicopter, its primary concern was to avoid the incident becoming another spark for mass protests against the government's repression. https://t.co/KLtHm23WLk
Following Monday’s news of a late-night helicopter crash in heavy fog that killed Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi Chinese social media users took note of Raisi’s repressive track record and celebrations and fireworks among Raisi’s critics in Tehran. @CDT https://t.co/0zktCTNgpx
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has the audacity to claim that the large crowds of mourners for the deceased president, Ebrahim Raisi, were proof of widespread popular support for the government. He bans all protests against the government. https://t.co/cDnJ91PNtt
The death of #EbrahimRaisí, Iran’s President, and eight others, including Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian, in a helicopter crash on May 19, has sent shockwaves across the region. Will there be changes in Iran’s foreign policy? @johnstanly writes. https://t.co/ok1ldfYSDy
More accounts trying to claim Ali Larijani as being serious about running for president https://t.co/48u5VNkESh
If there was to be a new Rouhani who is not Rouhani himself that could very well be Ali Akbar Nateq Nuri, a conservative who has become a centrist given the shift in the regime’s spectrum https://t.co/kk7kGW0B61
ICYMI: Raisi's death could destabilize Iran further and complicate the showdown for electing the next supreme leader, writes Muhammad Sahimi https://t.co/MFaAwUt4DH