After Raisi’s death, China looks for answers on Iran’s Khamenei succession

News Snapshot:

May 21, 2024 The helicopter crash in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province that killed Iranian President Raisi on Sunday not only brings new uncertainty and potential instability to Tehran’s domestic politics but also introduces questions about the country’s external strategy during a time of incessant crises stemming from the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. One of Iran’s few remaining partners, China is closely watching for the potential repercussions from Raisi’s death and its implications regarding how their bilateral relationship will be affected. While the immediate impact might be limited, long-term questions on the future of Iranian politics remain. Within hours of...