Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, along with the country’s foreign minister and several others, were confirmed dead on Monday after their helicopter crashed into mountainous area in Iran’s northwest, according to state media. In Iran, if the president passes away during their term, Article 131 of the Constitution dictates that the first vice president assumes temporary presidency, subject to confirmation by the supreme leader.
Who is the next president in Iran?
Following the demise of the Iranian leader, a question floats about who will succeed the president after the tragic incident.
The article will delve into the details of Mohammad Mokhber, the first vice president of Iran, with the confirmation of the supreme leader. In Iran, a supreme leader has the final say in all the matters regarding the state.
Additionally, a council comprising the first vice president, the parliament speaker, and the judiciary head must organize a new presidential election within a maximum period of 50 days.
On Sunday, 19th May, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter crashed in the mountains because of heavy fogg. The country had been trying hard to rescue the President as soon as possible, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials were also reportedly present in the chopper along with Raisi.
Iran’s Ambassador, Kazem Jalali revealed the news and told IRNA about the details of his meeting with the President of the Russian Federation.
Before the news of death, Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, said in his discussions with US intelligence officials suggests “at this point there is no evidence of foul play” but he would “keep the monitoring the situation as it unfolds”.
About Mohammad Mokhber
Mohammad Mokhber is part of a council alongside the speaker of Parliament and the head of the judiciary. Together, they are tasked with organising a new presidential election within 50 days of the president’s demise.
Previously, Mokhber headed Setad, an investment fund linked to the supreme leader, and was subject to EU sanctions in 2010 for alleged involvement in nuclear or ballistic missile activities. He was later removed from the list in 2012. Mokhber was involved in negotiations with Moscow in October, facilitating agreements to provide surface-to-surface missiles and drones to Russia’s military. This delegation included officials from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and the Supreme National Security Council.
The preceding rescue operation
Turkey’s emergency aid agency, AFAD, has announced earlier that 32 mountain rescue specialists will be dispatched to aid Iran in the search for President Raisi’s helicopter. But the death was declared before that.
Iranian authorities on Monday, early morning moved the rescue teams towards the crashed chopper carrying Ebrahim Raisi after a Turkish drone Akinci identified a heat source in the accident region, Iran-based news network reported. According to Turkish News agency Anadolu, an Akinci UAV identified a source of heat suspected to be the wreckage of a helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi and shared its coordinates with Iranian authorities
The European Commission acticated it’s satellite mapping service to support search efforts following a request from Iran, according to the European Commissioner for Crisis Management. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service, which provides mapping products based on satellite imagery, had been utilized. Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic announced on X that the service was activating its “rapid response mapping service in view of the helicopter accident.”
Signals reportedly detected by the armed forces originate from both the helicopter and the mobile phone of a member of the flight crew. Asghar Abbasgholizadeh, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Eastern Azerbaijan, expressed, “We are now mobilizing all military forces towards the area, and I am hopeful we can deliver positive news to the people.” He emphasized that the area has reached its maximum capacity for additional forces.
During Monday morning all the trial to save the life of the President failed as he and other officials were found death in the mountains with the officials.
People and Leader’s reaction to the incident from all around the world
Countries including Russia, Turkey and India had expressed concern and offered assistance after reports that the helicopter carrying Raisi had gone missing. After his death was confirmed, expressions of condolence also began to come in.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reacted to Iran president Ebrahim Raisi’s death, saying his contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. PM Narendra Modi extended condolences to Ebrahim Raisi’s family and the people of Iran.
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran,” PM Modi wrote on X.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar also expressed his condolences over the tragic deaths of Iranian leaders and “India stands with the people of Iran at the time of this tragedy.”
Raisi as the President of Iran
Raisi has been president since 2021 when he succeeded the moderate Hassan Rouhani, at a time when the economy was battered by US sanctions over Iran’s contested nuclear programme.
Iran saw a wave of protests triggered by the death in custody of Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in September 2022 after her arrest for allegedly flouting dress rules for women.
In March 2023, regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a surprise deal that restored diplomatic relations.
The Gaza war sent regional tensions soaring again and a series of tit-for-tat escalations led to Tehran launching hundreds of missiles and rockets directly at Israel in April this year.
In a speech following Sunday’s dam inauguration, Raisi emphasised Iran’s support for Palestinians, a centrepiece of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
“We believe that Palestine is the first issue of the Muslim world, and we are convinced that the people of Iran and Azerbaijan always support the people of Palestine and Gaza and hate the Zionist regime,” said Raisi.
A 37-year-old Tehran citizen, who gave his name only as Hadi, called Raisi “one of the servants of the people”, and said “we hope that he and his companions are found in good health”
