Raisi - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Ebrahim Raisi is an Iranian politician and jurist who has been serving as the President of Iran since August 2021.
- 2. Raisi was born on December 14, 1960, in Mashhad, Iran. He comes from a religious and conservative background.
- 3. Raisi studied law at the University of Tehran and later received his Ph.D. in Islamic law from Shahid Beheshti University.
- 4. Before becoming President, Raisi held various positions within the Iranian government, including serving as the Chief Justice of Iran's Judiciary from 2019 to 2021.
- 5. Raisi is closely associated with Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and is considered a hardliner on both domestic and foreign policy issues.
- 6. Raisi ran for President in 2017 but was defeated by the incumbent, Hassan Rouhani. He ran again in 2021 and won a landslide victory in a controversial election marred by low turnout and allegations of voter suppression.
- 7. Raisi has been criticized for his role in the mass executions of political prisoners in Iran in the 1980s, during which thousands of people were killed. He has denied any involvement in the executions.
- 8. As President, Raisi has vowed to combat corruption, improve the economy, and promote self-sufficiency in Iran. However, critics argue that his policies are likely to exacerbate economic hardship and further restrict civil liberties.
- 9. Raisi's presidency comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, particularly over Iran's nuclear program and regional influence. It remains to be seen how his administration will navigate these challenges.
- 10. Raisi's presidency has raised concerns among human rights organizations and Western governments, who fear a further crackdown on dissent and a deterioration of civil liberties in Iran under his leadership. His tenure is likely to be closely watched by the international community.