The sudden death of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi brings uncertainty and raises questions about Iran's role in the Israel-Hamas war.

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Karah Rucker Anchor/Reporter

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Questions swirl over Iran’s future after President Raisi’s sudden death

May 20, 2024

Karah Rucker Anchor/Reporter

By Karah Rucker (Anchor/Reporter), Ian Kennedy (Video Editor)

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The sudden death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has left the nation grappling with questions about its future. The impact of Raisi’s passing is reverberating across Iran and throughout the rest of the world.

Iran’s hierarchy of power

Unlike the United States, where the president holds significant authority, the Islamic Republic has Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who wields ultimate power. The president serves under the supreme leader.

Khamenei controls critical aspects of Iran’s policies, both domestically and in foreign affairs. He oversees intelligence and security operations, appoints key officials and makes military decisions. Notably, Iran is the only country where the executive branch does not directly control its armed forces — the supreme leader holds that authority.

Impact on Israel-Hamas conflict

The death of President Raisi raises questions about Iran’s role in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In April, Iran launched a barrage of missiles against Israel — an action carried out at the supreme leader’s orders and executed by Raisi. With Raisi gone, the supreme leader’s decisions will continue to shape Iran’s involvement in regional conflicts.

Interim leadership

In the short term, Mohammad Mokhber, one of Iran’s 12 vice presidents, has been appointed as the interim president by the supreme leader. However, the real power remains with Khamenei. In 50 days, Iran will hold a presidential election, further determining the nation’s direction.

Tags: Ebrahim Raisi, Hamas, Iran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel

KARAH RUCKER:

WHAT IS NEXT FOR IRAN NOW THAT ITS PRESIDENT HAS DIED?

THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC IS GOVERNED VERY DIFFERENTLY FROM THE U-S.

THE IMPACT OF PRESIDENT’S DEATH LEADS TO A HOST OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE NATION THE U-S HAS LABELED THE LEADING SPONSOR OF TERRORISM?.

INCLUDING **WHO IS AT THE TOP OF THE CHAIN OF COMMAND.

HERE – IT’S THE PRESIDENT.

IN IRAN — IT’S THE SUPREME LEADER – AND THE PRESIDENT – WORKS UNDER HIM.

THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT EBRAHIM RAISI (E-BRAHIM RA-EE-C) IS MAJOR NEWS OUT OF IRAN.

THE HIERARCHY OF THEIR GOVERNING SYSTEM HELPS ANSWER A LOT OF THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW IN A COUNTRY THAT IS A U-S ADVERSARY–

INCLUDING WHAT SORT OF IMPACT THE DEATH OF IRAN’S PRESIDENT COULD HAVE ON THE ISRAEL HAMAS WAR RAGING IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

IRAN IS THE **ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD IN WHICH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH DOESN’T CONTROL ITS ARMED FORCES.

IT’S THE SUPREME LEADER.

AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DECLARE WAR – OR MAKE MILITARY DECISIONS IN THE COUNTRY –

LIKE THE BARRAGE OF MISSILES IRAN UNLOADED AGAINST ISRAEL LAST MONTH.

IT WAS AT THE SUPREME LEADER’S **ORDERS –

THEN CARRIED OUT – BY PRESIDENT RAISSI.

MUCH OF THE POWER IN THE COUNTRY LIES SOLELY AT THE FEET OF THE SUPREME LEADER.

KHAMENEI CONTROLS IRAN’S POLICIES. BOTH AT HOME AND ITS FOREIGN POLICY.

HE CONTROLS INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY OPERATIONS.

HE APPOINTS PEOPLE TO POWERFUL POSITIONS THAT SURROUND HIM.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTRY IS THE SECOND-HIGHEST RANKING OFFICIAL –

BUT THE POWER IN THIS POSITION IS SEVERELY LIMITED BY THE OVERARCHING AUTHORITY THE SUPREME LEADER HAS.

THE PRESIDENT – IS AN ELECTED POSITION.

THIS MEANS IN THE SHORT-TERM –

MOHAMMAD MOKHBER (MOHK-BAR) – ONE OF IRAN’S 12 VICE PRESIDENTS – HAS BEEN APPOINTED – **BY THE SUPREME LEADER – AS THE INTERIM PRESIDENT.

IN 50 DAYS – THERE WILL BE A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN IRAN.

WHILE THE INTERIM PRESIDENT TAKES OVER AND AN ELECTION PROCESS PLAYS OUT –

IRAN’S POSITION IN THE WAR IN GAZA –

IS LIKELY TO REMAIN THE SAME –

GIVEN ITS THE SUPREME LEADER IN CONTROL OF HOW MUCH THE COUNTRY GETS INVOLVED.

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

FOR UPDATES TO THE ONGOING WARS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND UKRAINE –

CHECK OUT NEW EPISODES OF “WEAPONS AND WARFARE” EVERY WEDNESDAY ON THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP.