Iran’s succession plans unlikely to fix economic woes

The death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi yesterday creates greater uncertainty over the succession planning for the next Supreme Leader. But, taking a step back, the balance of political power within Iran means that there is unlikely to be a major shift in economic or foreign policy, with the sanctions-damaged economy set to struggle and tensions with Israel and the West likely to continue. The international reaction to Raisi’s death highlights how relations with the Gulf have thawed though.

In view of wider interest, we are also publishing this Middle East & North Africa Economics Update to clients of our Energy service.