President Raisi's sudden death to test Iran with West Asia already in turmoil
death of Iranian executive President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a helicopter crash on May 19 was a highly disruptive event that will test Iran and West Asia, both already in mayhem.
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The deceased were hardliner proteges of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, enjoying the support of the Pasdaran (IRGC). They steered Iran with a mix of dexterity, firmness and proportionality for nearly three years through a particularly turbulent period chequered by abortive negotiations for the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Hijab and other domestic protests, Israel's conflict with three of Iran's proxies, first direct military confrontation with Israel, normalisation with Saudi Arabia, tensions with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan, and new strategic beginnings with China, Russia, Venezuela and India.
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Their abrupt departure is undoubtedly a serious setback for Iran and its regional allies, but during its 45 years of eventful history, Tehran has put together a complex but resilient theocratic democracy capable of coping with this exigency.
Mohammed Mokhber, Raisi's deputy, was expeditiously appointed as the interim President, with the next president being elected within the next 50 days.
Until the presidential transition, the country's multilayered polity would remain preoccupied. For many years, the hardliners have had a firm grip on all three
