Iran is going through a very hard time as it lost its President along with the Foreign Minister. On 19 May, 2024, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash, state media confirm.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was also killed in Sunday’s crash, along with several others. The crash killed eight people. Iranian authorities report that one victim survived for an hour and attempted to summon help.
Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has announced five days of mourning following the death of Raisi.
The Bell 212 helicopter – one of three choppers travelling in a convoy – crashed after it got into difficulties in heavy fog in the north of the country. Official sources also confirm that the accident happened due to a technical failure.
Raisi was heading to the city of Tabriz, in the north-west of Iran, after returning from a dam opening ceremony on the Azerbaijan border
There are many countries that have announced mourning over the demise of Iran’s president, FM & the delegation which includes India, Lebanon, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq & Turkey.
The president was a hardline cleric close to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Article 131 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran, will led the First Vice President Mr. Mohammed Mukhber as the interim president till the next election held within 50 days. It is a hard time for the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei to bring balance in the political power as well keep the country’s morale up.
Let’s look at the journey of Ebrahim Raisi
Raisi’s career started after the Islamic Revolution in Iran during 1979 in which Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown and a Islamic regime was established.
In 1988, during the Iraq-Iran war, he became deputy prosecutor of the Revolutionary Court of Iran.
He got a nickname as the ‘Butcher of Tehran’ as he was part of a four member panel informally known as the ‘Death Commission’. The commission is responsible for the execution of thousands of people including civilians & political activists without any proper trial.
He ordered tighter enforcement of Iran’s “hijab and chastity law” restricting women’s dress and behaviour.
He was a supporter of Islamization of universities, revision of the Internet and censorship of Western culture.
He unsuccessfully launched Air strikes on lsraeI few days back.
Iran under his leadership launched airstrikes on Pakistan
He was friendly towards India. He had urged PM Modi to use his capacities to end the Israel-Gaza war.
During his tenure, Iran successfully became part of SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) in July 2023.
Impact on the World
World can encounter a negative impact of the demise of the Iran president due to rising tensions in the middle-east. Many Iranian patriots claim that the death of their leader is not natural & either American or Israel agencies are behind it. However, the official stand of Iran currently is that it happened due to the bad weather. The Israeli ambassador refutes these claims & calls them only rumours.
Iran under Raisi is involved in dealing with Hezbollah in Lebanon & Houthi rebels in Yemen. Apart from it, Raisi was a very big supporter of Hamas both financially & militarily. Iran is a heavily sanctioned country currently due to its involvement in many conflicts in the region as well its plan to make Nuclear bombs.
Meanwhile it is reported that many Human right activists, organisations & some people in Iran also celebrate his demise due to his involvement in crushing the anti-hijab movement, where several people lost their lives. So, people are hoping for a regime change, which is not possible in current circumstances.
Impact on India
Ebrahim Raisi is known to be very friendly to India under his capacity. During his regime, India & Iran were very close. The Chabahar Port deal was signed in his tenure where India has got control of Chabahar port for 10 years & this deal will extend automatically. As he belongs from Khorasan region of Iran, which has historical ties with India.
In 2017, when Raisi became president, India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar attended the oath taking ceremony.
Due to his positive impact on India, the Indian PM Modi also shared his condolences & referred to him as a friend of India on the Social Media Platform X. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar Today visited the Iranian Embassy & shared his condolence messages. India’s flag will also half mast for 1 day, & no official entertainment event to mourn for Iran’s president.