JERUSALEM (AP) — The death of Iran’s president is unlikely to lead to any immediate changes in Iran’s ruling system or to its overarching policies, which are decided by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
But Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash Sunday, was seen as a prime candidate to succeed the 85-year-old supreme leader, and his death makes it more likely that the job could eventually go to Khamenei’s son.
A hereditary succession would pose a potential crisis of legitimacy for the Islamic Republic, which was established as an alternative to monarchy but which many Iranians already see as a corrupt and dictatorial regime.
Here’s a look at what comes next.
Iran holds regular elections for president and parliament with universal suffrage.
But the supreme leader has final say on all major policies, serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and controls the powerful Revolutionary Guard.
French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
Four Long March 11 launches by sea planned
Xi Focus: Xi Calls for Promoting Peace, Solidarity, Inclusiveness Through Sports
Xi to Declare Hangzhou Asian Games Open
Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
New model reveals seabirds' movement may help analyze animal decision
Flu season sees spike in drug production
China continues to push deleveraging despite initial progress
Verona confirms Serie A status for another year after beating Salernitana
Xi Stresses Advancing New Industrialization in Pursuit of Chinese Modernization
Biden says Brown v. Board of Education ruling was about more than education
State energy firms turn to renewables abroad