(20 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jerusalem – 20 May 2024
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Joseph Krauss, The Associated Press:
"The death of Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on Sunday is not expected to have a major impact on Iran’s ruling system or its policies, whether domestic or international. That’s because while he was the elected president of Iran, most power in the country is concentrated in the hands of the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It is the supreme leader who has the final say on all major policies. He leads the military and the powerful Revolutionary Guard, and he appoints half the members of the clerical body that vets all candidates for public office in Iran. So in that way, the supreme leader is really able to shape the overall ruling system and its policies. Now where Raisi’s death could have a major impact is when it comes to the succession for the supreme leader who is currently 85 years old. Raisi and the supreme leader’s own son Mojtaba Khamenei were widely seen as the main candidates to succeed him. Now that Raisi has passed away, Mojtaba would now be seen as the main candidate and that raises profound questions for the Islamic Republic, which has always presented itself as an alternative to monarchical rule."
STORYLINE:
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s foreign minister and others were found dead Monday at the site of a helicopter crash after an hourslong search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest, state media reported.
First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber was appointed acting president of the Islamic Republic by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei stressed the business of Iran’s government would continue no matter what — but Raisi’s death raised the specter of what will happen after the 85-year-old supreme leader either resigns or dies, The AP’s Joseph Krauss explains.
The final say in all matters of state rests with his office and only two men have held the position since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Raisi had been discussed as one possible contender for the role.
The only other person so far suggested has been Khamenei’s 55-year-old son, Mojtaba.
However, some have raised concerns over the position going to a family member, particularly after the revolution overthrew the hereditary Pahlavi monarchy of the shah.
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