President Raisi Dies in a Halicopter Crash

By Mahvish Akhtar

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has announced five days of mourning following the
death of the country's President, Ebrahim Raisi. President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein
Amir-Abdollahian, and several others are confirmed to have been killed in Sunday's helicopter
crash in north-western Iran.

Iran’s news agencies, Mehr and Tasnim, announced on their network TV station that three
helicopters carrying the delegation had to make a "hard landing" due to heavy fog in the
country's north. Raisi and his convoy were heading to Tabriz after returning from an Iran-
Azerbaijan border area. Further investigation has revealed that engine malfunction was one of the
causes of the crash. According to state media, foul play cannot be ruled out, and investigations are
ongoing.

State media also reported that elections would be held on 28 th June 2024 to choose a new president.
In the meantime, Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed to assume interim
duties. Iran's cabinet has appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani as acting foreign
minister.

Iranian rescue teams told media outlets earlier on Sunday they have ‘utilized drones and aerial
measures, but due to the poor weather conditions, aerial search operations are not feasible. The
area is rugged and mountainous.” Even then, they were “hopeful, yet the news coming from the
crash site was concerning.”

Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry said the country was “deeply disturbed” by reports
of the helicopter crash and prayed for “the safety of the government officials who were involved
in the accident. Posting on X, the ministry said, “Azerbaijan is ready to provide all necessary
support as a friendly and brotherly state.”

As the leader upon the leader country and country showed concern and indifference over the
uncertain future and later the death of President Raisi, it’s important to note that each country has
a vested interest in what happens next.

Iran saw a lot of turbulence during Raisi's time as the leader. This makes not just most
neighboring countries, in fact, most European and Middle Eastern countries having a hand in
this. This regime came into power in Iran 2022. They took control from a relatively moderate
group and, according to most world powers, enforced their conservative brand of ruling rather
forcefully.

It was during this regime that the killing of the Kurd girl Masha Amini happened. There were
many political and social reforms that weren’t welcomed by many of its own people.

The tragic incident is not going to disrupt the direction of Iranian policy or change the Islamic
Republic in any consequential way. Tehran has a very strict and neatly weaved system in place. Even
before Raisi’s death was officially confirmed, the Ayatollah conveyed in a post on X that “the Iranian
people should not worry, there will be no disruption in the country’s affairs.”

Of course, any sudden change tests a country’s strength and roots where two systems are at odds, such
as conservative hardliners those who are in power and those who oppose them.

There were rumors that public was celebrating on the streets when news of the Iranian president’s
death was confirmed. Nevertheless, there was no confirmation of it beyond some twitter exchange.Mohammad Mohammad Tabar, a respected cleric, wrote on X that Iranians should “deal a firm blow
to those who are giddy”. One Instagram user posted pictures of young people killed by the regime
over a recording of Raisi declaring there was no mercy for its challengers. Judiciary officials also
warned that anyone found to have celebrated the president’s death would be prosecuted.