What Will the Future Hold After the Death of the Iranian President?

Shortly after news broke on May 19 that the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and other officials had crashed in northwestern Iran, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that there would be no disruption to administrative affairs.

To Iran observers, this would be stating the obvious, as despite its very complex political structure and multiple and overlapping governmental bodies, all power ultimately rests with the supreme leader, and increasingly, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, whose extensive control extends across all aspects and institutions of the country, including the economic sector.

Also, since the 1979 revolution, Iran is no stranger to high-ranking officials, including a president, dying while in office.

What Happens Next?

Ebrahim Raisi’s death in the helicopter crash, along with his companions including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, was confirmed on May 20, after the crash site was found in harsh weather conditions in the northwest of Iran.

In the immediate aftermath of Mr. Raisi’s death, his vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, assumed the role of acting president, per the Islamic Republic’s constitution and with the supreme leader’s approval.

Meanwhile, a council consisting of the speaker of the Iranian Parliament, the head of the judiciary, and the vice president has been established to facilitate the election of the next president.