Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were killed in a Vietnam-era helicopter crash on May 19, as confirmed by Iranian state media. The crash, which occurred in heavy fog, also claimed the lives of eight others. The incident has raised numerous questions about Iran's future, with concerns over potential power struggles and the country's ability to navigate the transition of its presidency amidst widespread public discontent and a struggling economy. While Iranian authorities deny foul play, Raisi's mother has made statements that raise suspicions about the circumstances surrounding his death. The incident has sent shockwaves across the region, and there are speculations about its impact on Iran's foreign policy and geopolitical dynamics, particularly with Turkey. Additionally, Ali Shamkhani has been put in charge of Tehran's nuclear negotiations, replacing Bagheri Kani, who is now serving as Iran's acting foreign minister. The death of Raisi, who was seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, adds another layer of uncertainty to the already volatile situation in Iran. Ayatollah Al Hashem also died as a result of the crash.
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
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
"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
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
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
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
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
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
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 👇
“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
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
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
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
LISTEN: Iranian President Raisi has been confirmed dead after his Vietnam-era helicopter crashed, plunging Iran into an even more uncertain future. What is the U.S.’s position in all this, and how can we play the bad hand we find ourselves holding? https://t.co/5u9ZDuwsbe
Raisi’s death raises questions about the Islamic Republic’s ability to navigate the transition of its presidency at a time of widespread public discontent and a struggling economy. https://t.co/q4o0ys3TCZ
Ebrahim Raisi’s ascent to Iran’s presidency marked the end of the regime’s claim to have democratic qualities. If his death augurs a new stage in its decay, that could prove to be dangerous for Iranians—and their region https://t.co/R3nuiq9Cem 👇
“May whoever killed you, other than God, be killed,” decried Ebrahim Raisi’s mother in a video circulating on social media. While Iranian authorities deny foul play in the president's helicopter crash, her remarks raise suspicions about circumstances surrounding Raisi's death. https://t.co/0oR9IGTPb6
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
Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar discusses Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s rise to power—and argues that Raisi’s sudden death on May 19 is unlikely to alter Iran’s long-term trajectory. https://t.co/0L08vHzITt