The tragic demise of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and several other Iranian officials in a helicopter crash on May 19 has put the spotlight on upcoming snap elections and possible impacts on leadership succession. Lost in the commotion is attention on the challenges the Islamic Republic faces under Ali Baqeri-Kani’s tenure as acting chief diplomat.

In the aftermath of the chopper crash, the Iranian political leadership has emphasized that there will be continuity. However, having led indirect talks with the US to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal for the past 33 months, Baqeri-Kani could...