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
- EconomyBelarusian rubel gains 12.2 percent against US dollar since JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsRights groups declare eight new political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsReprisals: jailed activist Kulša on hunger strike, health conditions criticalThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyPriest Juchnievič sentenced to 13 years in prisonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SecurityUkrainian border service: threat may come from Belarus during Zapad-2025 exerciseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsExtremists, terrorists will not be amnestied – lower houseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsThree cases filed against activist SudalenkaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsAmnesty International: reprisals against media, civil society intensified in 2024The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsIrregular Belarus-EU border crossings exceed 8,000 since JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsBelarus' deputy PM slams sanctions, tariffs during China visitThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsPolish defense official: Warsaw to respond to Zapad-2025 exerciseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics, Security
- Politics
- Economy, PoliticsOfficial blames sanctions for lack of logging equipment spare partsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Politics
- PoliticsDeputy prime minister Karanik arrives in ChinaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyTrain crew quickly contains blaze at Pahodzina stationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics
- PoliticsBelarus to open consulate general in Tatarstan for six Russian regionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: admin accused of filming Russian military hardwareThe material is available only to POZIRK+