Rumors suggest that Raisi's helicopter experienced a crash due to excessive weight.
Iranian investigators concluded early on that the helicopter crash that resulted in President Raisi's demise wasn't deliberate. They attributed it to excessive passengers on board. In the meantime, the new president is free to assemble his cabinet, a task that's not without criticism.
As reported by Fars, the security authorities are certain that the helicopter crash was an accident. The army had previously stated in May that no signs of criminality were present in the crash. According to Fars, there were more passengers aboard than the safety protocol allowed. The helicopter's inability to climb due to overloading was the cause of the crash. Investigators ruled out any interference with electronic systems or hacking. No traces of toxic substances were found.
The tragic incident occurred on May 19 in northwest Iran, during the presidential helicopter's journey to Tabriz. All eight occupants, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, perished in the crash.
Peseschkian Flexes Muscles in Parliament
Raisi's replacement is the reform-minded Massud Peseschkian. His cabinet has been approved by the Iranian parliament, with all 19 ministerial roles filled in a parliamentary session broadcast by state television. Peseschkian conceded to compromises to get his preferred candidates through due to parliamentary opposition. As foreign minister, he appointed the 61-year-old Abbas Aragtschi, a career diplomat who advocates dialogue with the West.
Peseschkian had initially envisioned "ideal" candidates for his cabinet, but the lack of parliamentary approval prompted him to compromise. He values a consensus-based government over pushing his ideal vision.
Etemad, a reformist newspaper, reported that this marked the first time in 23 years that the Iranian parliament had unanimously approved a president's cabinet appointments.
Post-vote, Peseschkian shared a photo of himself with conservative parliamentary speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf and the chairman of Iran's Supreme Court, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, on the X service, captioned "Consensus for Iran." Ghalibaf assured on X that the parliament would support the government in addressing the country's issues.
Double the Women, Half the Recognition
Peseschkian emerged victorious in Iran's presidential election in July. As the only reformist candidate, he was widely supported.
The new foreign minister, Aragtschi, is known for advocating dialogue with the West but recently expressed his "unwavering support for the axis of resistance." This alliance includes Israel-opposing groups such as the radical Palestinian organization Hamas and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. In 2013, Aragtschi spearheaded nuclear talks with the West, which eventually led to a nuclear agreement in 2015, but collapsed following the USA's unilateral withdrawal in 2018.
Peseschkian's Cabinet Now Includes Only One Female Minister, Farsaneh Sadegh, Making her the Second Woman to Hold a Ministerial Position Since the Islamic Republic of Iran's Establishment in 1979. The Ministry of Defense is Now Led by General Asis Nasirsadeh, a Former Air Force Commander.
Key Positions at a Glance:
- Minister of Intelligence: Esmail Chatib, a controversial figure subject to U.S. sanctions who previously served under President Raisi.
- Minister of the Interior: Eskandar Momeni, a high-ranking Revolutionary Guards officer and former judge.
- Minister of Justice: Amin-Hussein Rahimi, who served under President Raisi.
- Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance: Abbas Salehi, who previously held this position from 2017 to 2021 during Rouhani's presidency.
- Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance: Abdolnasser Hemmati, former head of the Central Bank of Iran and contender in the 2021 presidential election.
Peseschkian's appointment has received criticism from reformists, particularly for choosing conservative politicians from Raisi's former government. They also lament the lack of representation for ethnic and religious minorities and women within Peseschkian's cabinet.
The Commission, which is responsible for investigating the helicopter crash that led to President Raisi's demise, concluded that it was an accident caused by excessive passengers on board. Despite the new president, Massud Peseschkian, having a majority of his cabinet appointments approved by the Iranian parliament, his choice of only one female minister, Farsaneh Sadegh, has received criticism from reformists.
