Tehran (NNP) Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, who had served as the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran since 2021, tragically died in a helicopter accident. Raisi, born in Mashhad in 1960, rose to prominence through a long career in Iran’s judicial system following the 1979 Iranian revolution.
Raisi, who lost his father at the age of five, started his career early, becoming the Prosecutor General of Karaj at 20. His judicial career saw him serve in various critical positions, including Prosecutor of Hamdan and Deputy Prosecutor of Tehran. In 1988, Raisi was part of the infamous tribunals known as the Death Committee.
Following Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s election as Supreme Leader, Raisi was appointed as Tehran’s Prosecutor, a role he held from 1989 to 1994 before becoming head of the General Inspection Office. He served as Deputy Chief Justice from 2004 to 2014 and as Prosecutor General of Iran from 2014 to 2016.
Raisi first ran for president in 2017 but was defeated by then-President Hassan Rouhani. He successfully won the presidency in 2021, securing 62.9% of the vote. His presidency faced significant challenges, including nationwide protests following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.
In foreign policy, Raisi advocated for regional sovereignty, stability in Afghanistan, and opposed the Saudi blockade in Yemen. He strengthened ties with Syria, supported Russia in the Ukraine war, and restored diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in 2023. Raisi condemned Israeli actions in Gaza, accusing Israel of genocide with U.S. support.
In April, Raisi visited Pakistan to enhance bilateral trade, setting a target of $10 billion.
Raisi’s death marks a significant moment in Iranian politics, ending a tenure marked by both internal strife and notable international engagements.
