(Reuters) -Hopes are fading that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister have survived a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain and icy weather, an Iranian official said on Monday after search teams located the wreckage. “President Raisi’s helicopter was completely burned in the crash … unfortunately, all passengers are feared dead,” the official told Reuters.
This will be hugely destabilizing. Terrible.
Possibly, but it’s the president not the supreme leader. The President is the “Head of Government”, but the Supreme Leader is Head of State so who knows how much this will actually shake things up
Probably not at all. I’m no expert on Iran, but I’m pretty sure I’ve never heard about the president of Iran on the news at all. Ayatollah Khamenei, on the other hand, plenty of times.
What? The president is definitely mentioned in the news. The Ayatollah is more important but he doesn’t do everything alone. Also this president was a candidate to be the next Ayatollah.
I agree, while the head of state is the more important and powerful position, the president certainly isn’t exactly powerless and handles the day to day business of government. But calling the leader the Ayatollah is slightly misleading. While it’s a requirement in the constitution that the head of state be an Ayatollah, Ayatollah itself is a religious rank, not a political one. So there are many Ayatollahs around, even more since the revolution as many believe that the rank has become somewhat inflated.
Can you elaborate on why this would be destabilizing? I mean obviously the president dying is bad, but are there specific groups that are in positions to do anything to cause problems due to this? Wouldn’t there be someone under him in the chain of command or another election that could be held?
I do not know very much about Iran’s internal politics beyond a basic synopsis, I’m just looking for some info.
Depends on the circumstances of why the helicopter crashed. If it was an accident, some maintenance issue, pilot error or medical emergency or something, then it won’t be too bad.
If there’s some evidence of sabotage or a deliberate attack then hold onto your hat because prime suspect #1 is going to be the Mossad.
This is how I see it too. It’s probably not gonna be a huge deal in the long run, unless there is evidence of sabotage. I suppose it’s also possible that they could pretend to have evidence if they’re looking for a casus belli, but based on recent events I don’t think they’re looking to escalate if they don’t feel they have to.
Spoiler for Homeland TV show
! Reminds me of the last season of Homeland
Supporting mass murderers in the name of “stability” is just supporting mass murderers.
I never said I support him.
That poor helicopter.
Probably the first ever helicopter crash that everyone hoped no one survives.
May Raisi burn in hell with “Virgins” that all resemble the thousands he sent to death.
I think “feared” is overstating it a bit
5 pieces! He’s still good!.… No Bobby, I fear he’s dead…
That’s one hell of a “rough landing”
Publically hoping for the best but quietly preparing for the worst.
Nah, actually he’s fucking dead. No fearing, we know now he’s did dead.
If it comes out that Israel did this it’s going to be a Gavrillo Princep moment
If they think themselves to be prepared for it they can report Israel did this even if it was truly a maintenance issue
Didn’t you know that Israel is responsible for every helicopter that crashed because a pilot decided to fly in unsafe conditions?
No, he was feared when he was alive. Most people actually celebrate his death…
