The death of Iran’s hardline president threw the region into fresh uncertainty at a critical moment in the country’s shadow war with Israel.

• President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi had been widely seen as the implementer of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s policies, rather than the guy making the calls. Still, his sudden death in a helicopter crash on Sunday alongside Iran’s foreign minister throws his country into a political crisis after months of escalating conflict with Israel. Many analysts said they expect the country’s policies to remain relatively stable until a new election is held, although tensions with Israel remain on a knife’s edge. Iranian state media have so far attributed the crash to an unspecified “technical failure” as the president returned over foggy mountains from inaugurating a new dam on the country’s northwest border. But some U.S. officials worry the country could try to blame the incident on Israel or the U.S., according to Politico. 

• Raisi’s death scrambles the search for a successor to the 85-year-old Khamenei. As the country’s top elected official, Raisi had been seen as a serious contender for that high post, even though his tenure was wracked with controversy. Raisi oversaw brutal crackdowns on protests and ordered tighter enforcement of the country’s divisive hijab law restricting women’s dress and behavior. For now, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will serve as interim president until elections are held within 50 days.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meanwhile facing new pressures at home and abroad. The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court announced Monday he’s seeking to charge both Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar with crimes against humanity. Such charges would be extremely difficult to enforce, but the move still represents a symbolic blow to Netanyahu as he grows increasingly isolated. At the same time, a key member of Israel’s war cabinet, Benny Gantz, has threatened to step down if Netanyahu does not develop a plan for the future of the country’s war in Gaza within the next three weeks.

The White House said it does not expect Raisi’s death to significantly alter U.S.-Iranian relations. President Biden condemned the ICC prosecutor’s call for criminal charges, insisting there is no equivalence between the conduct of Israel and Hamas.

Whether you’re looking to whiten your teeth, maintain a healthy smile, or enhance your overall oral care routine, Smileactives has you covered.

Achieving a bright and radiant smile has never been easier, thanks to Smileactives Pro Whitening Gel. Say goodbye to messy and time-consuming whitening strips or uncomfortable trays. Simply add the gel to your toothpaste and brush as normal to achieve your new, confident smile!