Raisi’s death unlikely to affect Belarus-Iran ties – pundit

May 20, Pozirk. The Iranian president’s death is unlikely to affect Belarusian-Iranian relations, political analyst Alexander Friedman has told Pozirk, commenting on the helicopter crash on Sunday in north-western Iran that claimed the lives of Ebrahim Raisi and several high-level officials.
Iran’s political system is centered around Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been holding the Supreme Leader’s title since 1989, while Raisi headed the Iranian government and represented the country abroad since 2021.
It was Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who initiated closer cooperation with Russia and Belarus, while Raisi and late Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian played a certain role too, Friedman noted.
Raisi’s death could weaken Iran’s political regime “which is not so strong anymore, as shown by the protests that regularly take place there,” Friedman said, noting that Iran may face political turbulence in the future.
Meanwhile, Russian and Belarusian propaganda has pinned the blame for Raisi’s death on the West, Israel and even Ukraine. Their interpretation shows what propaganda targets and hates most, the expert said.
The way Belarusian propaganda is showcasing the mourning reflects the importance of cooperation with Iran that embodies radical anti-Western attitudes, he added.
Minsk started intensifying ties with Iran in 2023 after Łukašenka met Raisi in Tehran to sign a road map for comprehensive cooperation.

Łukašenka, foreign ministry extend condolences to Iran over Raisi's death
- Politics
- EconomyProlonged cold spells harm Belarus’ agricultureThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights activists report spike in prosecutions over 2020 protestsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsBelarus worst-performing in eradicating torture for sixth consecutive yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarus’ top diplomat rails against “digital colonialism” at BRICS summitThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics
- PoliticsReprisals: agents attempt to infiltrate Cichanoŭski’s teamThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka wishes Nazarbayev a happy birthdayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church plans to open mission in UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCouncil of Europe affirms support for Belarusians at home and abroadThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusians proud of common heritage with Lithuania, grateful for support – CichanoŭskajaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusian foreign minister to attend BRICS summit in BrazilThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCoordination Council supports setting up tribunal on aggression against UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsViasna releases update on reprisals in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsJailed lawyer asks Lithuanian president to swap him for Belarus’ prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPro-government MP calls on emigrants to assault opposition politiciansThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityMigration crisis tested Poland’s defense capability – DudaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUkraine, Russia hold new prisoner swap in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+