ScottRitter:
>It is very early in terms of being able to fully assess the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Ebrahim Raisi, the President of Iran, and Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian Foreign Minister.
>It is also early to speak meaningfully about the impact their deaths, and the deaths of the others onboard the helicopter, will have on Iran and the world.
>What we do know is that Iran is a nation girded by strong constitutional institutions, and that these institutions have already put in motion the necessary measures to ensure government continuity.
>The acting First Vice President, Muhammad Mokhber, has been appointed as acting President. Together with the speaker of the Parliament and the head of the judiciary, Mokhber will organize Presidential elections within 50 days.
>Ali Bagheri, the deputy foreign minister, has been appointed to replace Amir-Abdollahian. Bagheri is a veteran diplomat, and currently is responsible for overseeing Iran’s nuclear portfolio.
>Iran’s next President will be called upon to manage a crisis in Gaza, lead the axis of resistance while normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia, and help shape the future of BRICS. Ebrahim Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian had set Iran on a both path. It will now be up to their successors to stay the course.