Raisi's death has opened the path for others to vie for Khamenei's coveted position. With a likely power struggle on the horizon in Iran, the IRGC could well play kingmaker to secure its interests.

With insight from Alex Vatanka, Farzan Sabet, and Ali Alfoneh علی آلفونه.

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Qalibaf & Jalili's names quickly entered the conversation as potential successors to Raisi. Very few, if any, even considered Mokhber. Khamenei's comments today may change that.

To run, though, he needs to resign first. Khamenei would then appoint a caretaker president.

Members of Iran's 88-seat Assembly of Experts have put a younger cleric at the helm to replace former chairman Janati, 97.

With 55 votes, Movahedi Kermani, 93, was elected today as the new chairman.

The assembly's main task is to pick the next supreme leader.

My video interview in Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty alongside Sanam Vakil صنم وكىل:

' #Iran At Crossroads After President Killed In Helicopter Crash' rferl.org/a/iran-crossro…

Iran's President Raisi is dead. Will that impact Iran's policies? Not really, but it could throw a wrench in Supreme Leader Khamenei's succession plans.

With input from Hamidreza Azizi and Sanam Vakil صنم وكىل.

rferl.org/a/iran-raisi-n…

Iran's Guardian Council has confirmed that the next president—elected in max 50 days—will serve a full, four-year term. Going forward, this means:

-Parliamentary & presidential elex will be held in the same year.

-Iranian & US presidential elex will also be in the same year.

It's official: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian have been declared dead on state television.

Despite there being no sign of life at the crash site, the authorities have not yet officially confirmed the deaths of Iranian President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian.

State TV news ticker says no sign of surviving passengers so far at the location of the crash

A quadcopter flying above the wreckage of Iranian President Raisi's helicopter is seemingly failing to pick up a heat signature.

'The cabin is entirely burned,' says the operator.

Head of Iran's Red Crescent Society has just confirmed on state TV that wreckage of the helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi has been found.

A brief profile of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, with input from Ali Vaez.

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Indeed, Iranian TV has not suspended its regular programming to broadcast prayers in preparation for an announcement. This is so easily debunked.

Current screenshots of Iranian state TV networks: Rolling news channel IRINN, Channel One, Channel Two, and Channel Three.

Iran's Red Crescent Society has denied reports claiming that the helicopter carrying President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian was found. They're still searching.

Interior Minister Vahidi says rescue teams haven't even reached the likely crash site.

Upon Iranian request for assistance we are activating the 🇪🇺's Copernicus EMS rapid response 📡 mapping service in view of to the helicopter accident reportedly carrying the President of #Iran and its foreign minister.

#EUSolidarity

Three hours later and there is still no update.

News ticker on Iranian state TV says a helicopter carrying Iran's President Raisi was involved in an 'incident' in Jolfa, East Azarbayjan province. It reportedly made a 'hard landing'.

Rescuers en route but foggy weather has made it difficult to locate the helicopter.

Hearing there’s the now familiar divide between E3 & Washington over how to handle the upcoming IAEA BOG meeting with Europeans pressing for a more aggressive approach and the US not. Also that next few days are crucial to see if Iran will deliver anything post Grossi in Tehran.

The EU wants Iran to 'reverse its nuclear trajectory' and refrain from statements claiming that it might review its nuclear doctrine, EU Spokesperson Peter Stano Peter Stano tells RFE/RL.

rferl.org/a/eu-iran-nucl…

The EU wants Iran to 'reverse its nuclear trajectory' and refrain from statements claiming that it might review its nuclear doctrine, EU Spokesperson Peter Stano Peter Stano tells RFE/RL.

rferl.org/a/eu-iran-nucl…