Head of the Alliance Against a Nuclear Iran: The Death of Raisi Could Accelerate Change in Iran

Mark Wallace, the executive director of the Alliance Against a Nuclear Iran, an American non-governmental organization opposed to the Islamic Republic, discussed the potential consequences of the death of Raisi in Iran and the region in an interview with Voice of America. On Monday, May 31, Mark Wallace told Voice of America that the death of Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, his Foreign Minister, is in many ways the realization of Ali Khamenei's 'worst nightmare,' and the U.S. must support protesters for change in Iran. According to Wallace, Khamenei has been 'preoccupied for years with his succession and the long-term survival of the regime, even radicalizing the groups around him to prepare for this succession. And now the key elements of that plan to nurture a successor have disappeared.' Wallace told Voice of America, 'You can see that Ayatollah Khamenei and his associates' are 'floundering' as they observe the outcome of Raisi's death. He stated that during this period, 'the people of Iran, while seeking to overthrow the ruthless tyrant, namely Ayatollah [Khamenei], are very eager to see that the United States and the West have clear support for them.' He said the time has come for supporting the people of Iran with covert activities, diplomacy, and communication against the Islamic Republic. Wallace noted that Raisi's death 'could definitely' be one of 'five or ten potential events' that could accelerate change in Iran. He remarked that the 'opportunity' for change and the 'vulnerability of the Ayatollah and his regime' has never been clearer than today. The helicopter carrying Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Amir-Hossein Abdullahian, the Foreign Minister, disappeared on September 30 in East Azerbaijan Province, and news of their death and that of other passengers was published on Monday morning, September 31, Iranian time. The U.S. response to Raisi's death: We will continue to support the people of Iran and counter the actions of the Islamic Republic. Reactions to the news of Raisi's death ranged from 'National Helicopter Day' celebrations to dancing and distributing sweets in the streets.