Early Life and Education
Ebrahim Raisi, born Ebrahim Raisolsadati on December 14, 1960, in Mashhad, Iran, came from a clerical family. He lost his father, Seyed Haji, at the age of five. Ebrahim Raisi began his education at the Javadiyeh School and continued his studies at the Ayatollah Boroujerdi School in Qom. Although he claimed to have a doctorate in private law from Motahari University, this has been disputed.
Clerical Credentials
Raisi’s religious education involved studying under prominent figures such as Seyyed Hossein Borujerdi and Morteza Motahhari. Despite initially calling himself an Ayatollah, media scrutiny led him to use the title Hojat-ol-Islam. Before the 2021 presidential election, he reverted to Ayatollah, although Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s decree referred to him as Hojat-ol-Islam.
Judicial Career
Ebrahim Raisi started his judicial career in 1981 as the prosecutor of Karaj and Hamadan. By 1985, he became the deputy prosecutor of Tehran. His role in the 1988 executions of political prisoners as a member of Tehran’s “death commission” earned him the nickname “Butcher of Tehran” and accusations of crimes against humanity.
Senior Positions
Raisi held several key judicial roles, including Tehran prosecutor, head of the General Inspection Office, Deputy Chief Justice, and Attorney General. From 2012 to 2021, he served as the Special Clerical Court prosecutor. In 2016, he became the Custodian and Chairman of Astan Quds Razavi.
Political Career
Ebrahim Raisi ran for president in 2017 but was defeated by Hassan Rouhani. He won the presidency in 2021 with 63% of the vote amid allegations of election rigging. His tenure was marked by a hardline approach, including stalled negotiations with the U.S. over the JCPOA, increased uranium enrichment, and support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
Foreign Policy and Controversies
Raisi’s foreign policy focused on supporting regional allies and opposing Western influence. He endorsed the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan, condemned Israel, and supported Palestinian groups. Domestically, his presidency saw significant protests, notably after the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.
Ebrahim Raisi Political Views
Hardliner Stance
Ebrahim Raisi was widely recognized as a hardliner in Iranian politics. He advocated for sex segregation, stating in a 2014 interview that such measures create a more relaxed and efficient atmosphere for women. He supported the Islamization of universities, strict Internet censorship, and the suppression of Western culture. Raisi viewed economic sanctions as an opportunity, advocating for a “resistance economy” to counteract poverty and deprivation. He supported punitive measures such as the amputation of thieves’ hands, considering them honorable practices under strict Sharia law. He also took pride in his role in the 1988 mass executions of political prisoners, despite widespread condemnation.
Sanctions and International Relations
In November 2019, the U.S. Department of State sanctioned Ebrahim Raisi, along with other Iranian officials, for alleged human rights abuses. These sanctions, enforced by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control under Executive Order 13876, cited his involvement in crimes against humanity. International human rights organizations and UN rapporteurs accused him of severe human rights violations. There were calls for his arrest for crimes against humanity if he attended international events, such as the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Economy
Economic Policies
Raisi emphasized the importance of a resistance economy to overcome poverty and advocated for the development of agriculture over commercial retail. In 2017, he proposed tripling the monthly state benefits to tackle corruption and create six million jobs. He viewed sanctions as an opportunity for economic empowerment, stressing the need for self-reliance and neutralization of economic pressures without depending on external factors.
Women’s Rights
Public Statements and Policies
Raisi claimed to support women’s rights, stating that no one should violate the freedoms and rights of girls and women. He emphasized the importance of women’s roles in culture and economy, advocating for conditions that allow women to flourish. However, his actions contradicted these statements, as he signed orders for stricter hijab regulations in Iran.
Intellectuals and Artists
Cultural Views
Raisi believed that intellectuals play a crucial role in society by identifying and warning against threats. He stated that teachers, as true intellectuals, should observe and caution against societal harms. He emphasized that support for cultural and artistic individuals should lead to tangible actions rather than just verbal endorsements.
Homosexuality
Discriminatory Remarks
Raisi made disparaging remarks about homosexuality, describing
it as “savagery.” He believed that Western countries promoting homosexuality undermined family and cultural values. During a visit to Uganda, he supported Uganda’s harsh anti-homosexuality laws, asserting that homosexuality was one of the “dirtiest things” in human history, and criticized Western nations for considering it a mark of civilization.
The Holocaust
Holocaust Denial
Raisi, like other Iranian leaders, cast doubt on the Holocaust’s historical authenticity. In an interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, when asked if he believed the Holocaust happened, he responded ambiguously, suggesting that it should be open to investigation and research.
Potential Successor as Supreme Leader
Succession Speculations
Raisi was frequently mentioned as a potential successor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Various sources, including Al Jazeera and The New Yorker, considered him a leading candidate. By 2024, Time magazine identified both Raisi and Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader’s son, as frontrunners for the position. However, Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash in May 2024 ended his candidacy.
Death
Helicopter Crash
On May 19, 2024, Raisi, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials, died in a helicopter crash near the village of Uzi in East Azerbaijan province. Iran’s semi-official news agency, Mehr News, described them as “martyred in the crash.” Ebrahim Raisi was the second Iranian president to die in office, following Mohammad-Ali Rajai in 1981.
National Mourning and Reactions
Following Raisi’s death, Ayatollah Khamenei declared five days of national mourning. Crowds gathered in Vali-e-Asr Square to mourn. At the Assembly of Experts meeting on May 21, a flower-ringed portrait of Raisi was placed on his seat. Leaders and officials from various countries and international organizations expressed their condolences. The UN Security Council observed a minute of silence in his honor.
Public reactions in Iran were mixed, with some mourning and others celebrating his death. Tehran police warned that anyone publicly celebrating would face prosecution. Funerals for the victims began on May 21 in Tabriz, with large crowds attending the procession. Raisi’s remains were taken to Tehran and Qom before a final funeral ceremony on May 22, presided over by Khamenei and attended by foreign dignitaries. Raisi was buried on May 23 at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.
International Reactions
Several countries declared days of mourning, including Bangladesh, Cuba, India, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Turkey. However, not all responses were sympathetic. UK Minister of State for Security Tom Tugendhat and US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby condemned Raisi’s legacy. Israel criticized the UN’s minute of silence, and Maryam Rajavi of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran highlighted his controversial role in the 1988 executions. Taghi Rahmani, the husband of detained activist Narges Mohammadi, asserted that Raisi’s death would not structurally alter Iran’s leadership under Khamenei.