Since the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, there has been a lot of speculation over who would take his place. On May 25th, 2017, Ebrahim Raisi was announced as the new Supreme Leader.

A Historic Transition

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, passed away on May 25th, 2017. This left the question of who would take his place in the air. On May 25th, 2017, Ebrahim Raisi was announced as the new Supreme Leader.

Raisi is a conservative cleric who has served as the head of Iran’s judiciary and as a member of the Assembly of Experts. He is considered a close ally of Khamenei and is thought to have the support of Iran’s military and security forces.

The transition from Khamenei to Raisi is seen as a move towards conservatism and a harder line against the West. However, it is also likely that Raisi will continue to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his fight against rebel groups.

Ebrahim Raisi’s election as Iran’s new Supreme Leader comes at a time of great turmoil in the country. Western sanctions have crippled Iran’s economy, and many are angry with the government for handling the situation.

Raisi is a hardliner who will take a tough stance against the West. This could further escalate tensions between Iran and the West, leading to more economic hardship for Iranians.

Who is Ebrahim Raisi?

Ebrahim Raisi is a 62-year-old Iranian cleric and politician recently announced as the new Supreme Leader of Iran.

Raisi was born in Mashhad, Iran, in 1960. He studied theology at the University of Qom and later became a professor there. He also served as the prosecutor of the Special Court for the Clergy from 1989 to 2003.

Raisi entered politics in 2004 when he was appointed the head of the Astan Quds Razavi Foundation, responsible for managing Iran’s holiest shrine. He was appointed Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance in 2009.

In 2016, Raisi ran for president against incumbent Hassan Rouhani. He lost by a wide margin but gained a lot of popularity among conservatives in Iran.

In May 2017, it was announced that Raisi would be the new Supreme Leader of Iran after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, many believe that he will continue Khamenei’s hardline policies.

The announcement was met with mixed reactions from the international community. Some observers praised Raisi as a strong leader who deeply understood the Iranian people and their culture. Others were more critical, arguing that Raisi is a divisive figure with a history of human rights abuses.

His Politics

Raisi is a controversial figure in Iran. Hassan Raisi is a controversial figure in Iran. He has been implicated in several high-profile human rights cases of abuse, including the 1988 massacre of political prisoners and the torture of detainees in Evin prison. He has also been criticized for his role in the Iranian economy, which has suffered under sanctions and mismanagement.

Since taking office, Raisi has moved quickly to consolidate power within the judiciary. In June 2017, he fired the head of Iran’s Human Rights Council and replaced him with a hardline ally. This move signals that Raisi intends to take a tough stance against human rights abuses.

Raisi also faces criticism for his role in the Iranian economy. Under his leadership, the Iranian rial has plummeted, and unemployment has risen significantly. This has led to widespread protests throughout the country.

Despite his negative reputation, Raisi is popular with many Iranians. He is seen as a pious and honest man committed to defending the Islamic Republic. He has also promised to revive the economy and address the country’s social problems.

Raisi’s appointment as Supreme Leader is not guaranteed, and he will face competition from other conservative clerics as dissidents grow in the country.

However, with the world’s eyes focused on the prolonged unrest over the death of Mahsa Amini, who was reportedly raped and abused to her death while in prison, Raisi’s rule is put in question.

As of writing, the toll of the riots in the whole of Iran are:

  • Deaths: 185 people
  • Non-fatal Injuries: 1,070 people
  • Estimated number of protesters: 2,500 people