Iran’s hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, previously seen as a potential successor to Iran’s supreme leader, recently made headlines after his helicopter experienced a “hard landing.” Raisi, who faces sanctions over his involvement in the mass execution of prisoners in 1988, has a controversial past. He ran unsuccessfully for president in 2017 and won in 2021 after all potentially prominent opponents were barred from running. His election saw the lowest turnout in Iran’s history, with millions staying home or voiding their ballots.
The 1988 executions, known as the “death commissions,” saw political prisoners and militants executed after sham retrials. Raisi, who served on these commissions, has faced criticism for his role. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned him in 2019 for his involvement in the executions and human rights abuses in Iran. Despite being ultimately governed by the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Raisi has supported Iran’s enrichment of uranium to near-weapons-grade levels and confrontation with the West.
Raisi’s term has also been marked by support for attacks on Israel and crackdowns on dissent within Iran. A massive assault on Israel in April, following an attack on Iranian generals in Damascus, escalated tensions between the two countries. The crackdown on dissent, particularly in response to the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, led to the death of over 500 people and detention of more than 22,000. A UN panel later found Iran responsible for the violence that resulted in Amini’s death after she was arrested for not wearing a hijab.
Despite these controversies and human rights violations, Raisi remains a key figure in Iran’s leadership, supporting various policies and actions that have drawn criticism from the international community. His presidency has been marked by confrontations with foreign powers, crackdowns on dissent, and continued support for controversial actions within the country. As Iran’s supreme leader continues to age, the future of the country’s leadership and policies under Raisi’s presidency remains uncertain.
The recent incident involving Raisi’s helicopter serves as a reminder of his presence in Iranian politics and the ongoing scrutiny of his actions and decisions. With tensions escalating in the region and human rights concerns persisting, Raisi’s presidency continues to be a subject of global attention and condemnation. The international community will likely continue to monitor Iran’s leadership under Raisi and its impact on regional stability and human rights moving forward.
