Iran To Hold Presidential Elections On June 28 Following Raisi's Death

Iran will conduct presidential elections on June 28, as reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash over the weekend.

What Happened: Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume the role of president temporarily, in line with the Islamic Republic’s constitution, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

Raisi, along with eight others including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, perished in north-western Iran when their helicopter crashed in a mountainous region. The government attributed the accident to adverse weather conditions and heavy fog.

Candidate registration will commence on May 30, with the Guardian Council, a 12-member body of clerics and jurists, overseeing the vetting process. It remains uncertain if Mokhber will be a candidate.

Many analysts believe the clerical establishment and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would prefer a president with similar views to Raisi, an ultraconservative cleric skeptical of the US and Israel. The Guardian Council has historically made it challenging for reformists to participate in elections.

Raisi was a divisive figure in Iran, known for his association with mass arrests and executions following the 2022 protests after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman detained for allegedly breaching Iran’s dress code.

See Also: This Important Evidence Could Determine Donald Trump’s Fate In His Hush-Money Trial

Why It Matters: The sudden death of Raisi has significant implications for Iran’s political landscape. Mohammad Mokhber, the interim president, is known for his close ties to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His interim leadership will be crucial in maintaining stability until the elections.

Raisi, who was seen as a potential successor to Khamenei, had a controversial tenure marked by his hardline stance and suppression of dissent. His death leaves a power vacuum that could influence Iran’s future policies, especially regarding its relations with the U.S. and Israel.

The upcoming elections will be closely watched, with the Guardian Council’s role in vetting candidates being a critical factor. The council’s historical exclusion of reformist candidates raises questions about the election’s competitiveness and the potential for political change in Iran.

The tragic helicopter crash that claimed Raisi’s life also resulted in the loss of key government officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

Read Next: Trump Vs Biden: Poll Reveals Surprise Preference For One Candidate Over Other When It Comes To Economy