Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash has disrupted the plans of hardliners who saw him as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Raisi, a 63-year-old protege of Khamenei, was a leading candidate to succeed the 85-year-old Supreme Leader.

His rise was part of a power consolidation among hardliners to fortify the Islamic Republic against internal dissent and external threats.

The Supreme Leader holds ultimate power in Iran, directing the armed forces and shaping foreign policy.

While Khamenei has not endorsed a successor, Raisi and Khamenei's son Mojtaba were frequently mentioned as potential candidates.

With Raisi's death, other factions and figures may now emerge as contenders for the position.

Raisi's presidency was seen as a stepping stone to the supreme leadership, and his alignment with Khamenei's views on major issues strengthened his candidacy.

His death is a significant blow to the establishment, which now lacks a clear successor.

This uncertainty could lead to internal power struggles within the regime.

The Supreme Leader is appointed by the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body.

Two sources indicated that Raisi had been removed from the list of potential successors due to declining popularity linked to economic hardships.

Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group noted that Raisi's death introduces significant uncertainty into the succession process, potentially leading to unprecedented infighting within the regime.