Speculations about sabotage remain minor, as the conditions during the accident were difficult, says Riikka Eela, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Middle East unit.
For Iran, the most important question now is what is the effect of the president’s death on the country’s internal situation, according to the head of the Middle East unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Riikka Eela In ‘s morning interview.
Raisi was a powerful figure in the Iranian administration. The supreme leader of the country, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is elderly, and Raisi has been a strong candidate in the succession discussions. Now, a power vacuum has suddenly emerged in the country.
Eela estimates that the weather conditions at the time of the accident were really bad, and the area was difficult and mountainous.
– I think that although there will certainly be speculations, the number will probably be small, Eela thinks about possible sabotage charges.
“Iran needs time to get the lines straight”
The essential thing is whether Iran accuses an outside party of, for example, sabotage, mentioned the professor of Middle East studies Hannu Juusola From the University of Helsinki, in an interview with , when commenting on information about the accident involving the helicopter convoy of Iranian President Ebrahim Rais.
The wreckage of the helicopter was found on Monday morning.
Raisi was Iran’s second-highest leader after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and an ultra-conservative Shiite.
– At the moment, the situation in the Middle East is unstable. Relations between Israel and Iran have been exceptionally tense, Juusola reminds.
President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian death increases instability, Juusola estimates.
Juusola describes that in Iran, Khamenei is the supreme leader. The role of the president is executive. Raisi is known for being strict and conservative.
– Iran’s politics could change if there was a president representing a different line, but it is unlikely that it would, Juusola estimates.
Iran has held indirect negotiations with the United States regarding the conflict in the Middle East.
Juusola underlines the role of the foreign minister. According to him, the death of the foreign minister complicates diplomatic efforts.
– Iran needs time to get the lines straight, says Juusola.