## Early Life and Education
Mashhad is a significant religious center for Twelver Shiʿah Islam as it is the burial place of the eighth imam, ʿAlī al-Riḍā. Raisi's early life coincided with the advent of land reform (1960–63) and the White Revolution development program (1963–79), periods of profound change in Iran's distribution of power and wealth. These reforms led to rapid modernization and urbanization but also disenfranchised the clerical establishment, especially in Mashhad, where the clerics held extensive property and wielded significant economic influence.
Raised in a clerical family, Raisi received a religious education and, in 1975, attended seminary in Qom, the foremost intellectual center of Shiʿi Islam. There, he studied under some of Iran’s most prominent clerics. During this time, widespread dissatisfaction with the regime of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was prevalent among Iranians. Many seminarians in Qom, including Raisi, were engaged with the revolutionary ideals of Ruhollah Khomeini. Khomeini's interpretation of velāyat-e faqīh (guardianship of the jurist) sought to ensure clerical oversight of government policy and administration. Raisi was reportedly an active participant in the events of 1978–79 that led to the shah's exile and the establishment of a government based on Khomeini’s vision.
## Prosecutor for the Islamic Republic
### Early Career
Following the Iranian Revolution, the newly established Islamic republic faced numerous challenges, including opposition from Western-educated loyalists of the shah, secularist left-wing dissidents, and an all-out war with Iraq. He received training in administration and joined the prosecutor’s office in Masjed Soleymān in southwestern Iran. Over the next six years, he gained further experience as a prosecutor in various jurisdictions, including Karaj city, Hamadan city, and Hamadan province.
### Rise to Prominence
In 1985, Raisi became the deputy prosecutor in Tehran, the country's capital. In 1988, amidst the instability and the burdens of the Iran-Iraq War, Khomeini ordered the execution of thousands of political prisoners, accusing them of collaborating with Iraq. Raisi was appointed to a committee tasked with determining the loyalty of prisoners to the government.
### Senior Judicial Roles
He served as the prosecutor of Tehran from 1989 to 1994 and held other prominent positions, including head of the General Inspection Organization (1994–2004) and prosecutor general of the Special Court for the Clergy (2012–21). These roles involved overseeing the integrity of government bodies and officials. As the first deputy to the chief justice (2004–14), Raisi played a key role in the crackdown on dissidents following the unrest after the 2009 presidential election. Outside the judiciary, he also served as a member of the Assembly of Experts (2007–24), a body tasked with replacing the Supreme Leader if the office became vacant.
In 2016, Khamenei appointed Raisi as the custodian of the shrine of ʿAlī al-Riḍā in Mashhad, placing him in charge of Iran’s largest bonyad (charitable trust). This appointment, which lasted until 2019, gave Raisi control over billions of dollars' worth of assets and a significant portion of Iran’s gross domestic product, without formal oversight.
## Political Career
### 2017 Presidential Election
Despite holding high-level positions within the regime, Raisi built an image as a principled government critic who was tough on corruption. He ran against the incumbent Hassan Rouhani in the 2017 presidential election, criticizing Rouhani for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an international nuclear agreement. Raisi argued that the JCPOA conceded too much while failing to improve the socioeconomic conditions for most Iranians. Although Rouhani won in a landslide, Raisi's ability to garner 38 percent of the vote indicated that his populist rhetoric resonated with many Iranians. The withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA in 2018 and the reimposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran vindicated Raisi in the eyes of many Iranians.
### Head of the Judiciary
. When the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) downed Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 in January 2020, mistakenly identifying the passenger plane as a U.S. cruise missile, Raisi oversaw the investigation. However, the investigation did little to hold Iranian officials publicly accountable, attributing the incident to errors by low-ranking operators.
Raised in a clerical family, Raisi received a religious education and, in 1975, attended seminary in Qom, the foremost intellectual center of Shiʿi Islam. There, he studied under some of Iran’s most prominent clerics. During this time, widespread dissatisfaction with the regime of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was prevalent among Iranians. Many seminarians in Qom, including Raisi, were engaged with the revolutionary ideals of Ruhollah Khomeini. Khomeini's interpretation of velāyat-e faqīh (guardianship of the jurist) sought to ensure clerical oversight of government policy and administration. Raisi was reportedly an active participant in the events of 1978–79 that led to the shah's exile and the establishment of a government based on Khomeini’s vision.
## Prosecutor for the Islamic Republic
### Early Career
Following the Iranian Revolution, the newly established Islamic republic faced numerous challenges, including opposition from Western-educated loyalists of the shah, secularist left-wing dissidents, and an all-out war with Iraq. He received training in administration and joined the prosecutor’s office in Masjed Soleymān in southwestern Iran. Over the next six years, he gained further experience as a prosecutor in various jurisdictions, including Karaj city, Hamadan city, and Hamadan province.
### Rise to Prominence
In 1985, Raisi became the deputy prosecutor in Tehran, the country's capital. In 1988, amidst the instability and the burdens of the Iran-Iraq War, Khomeini ordered the execution of thousands of political prisoners, accusing them of collaborating with Iraq. Raisi was appointed to a committee tasked with determining the loyalty of prisoners to the government.
### Senior Judicial Roles
He served as the prosecutor of Tehran from 1989 to 1994 and held other prominent positions, including head of the General Inspection Organization (1994–2004) and prosecutor general of the Special Court for the Clergy (2012–21). These roles involved overseeing the integrity of government bodies and officials. As the first deputy to the chief justice (2004–14), Raisi played a key role in the crackdown on dissidents following the unrest after the 2009 presidential election. Outside the judiciary, he also served as a member of the Assembly of Experts (2007–24), a body tasked with replacing the Supreme Leader if the office became vacant.
In 2016, Khamenei appointed Raisi as the custodian of the shrine of ʿAlī al-Riḍā in Mashhad, placing him in charge of Iran’s largest bonyad (charitable trust). This appointment, which lasted until 2019, gave Raisi control over billions of dollars' worth of assets and a significant portion of Iran’s gross domestic product, without formal oversight.
## Political Career
### 2017 Presidential Election
Despite holding high-level positions within the regime, Raisi built an image as a principled government critic who was tough on corruption. He ran against the incumbent Hassan Rouhani in the 2017 presidential election, criticizing Rouhani for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an international nuclear agreement. Raisi argued that the JCPOA conceded too much while failing to improve the socioeconomic conditions for most Iranians. Although Rouhani won in a landslide, Raisi's ability to garner 38 percent of the vote indicated that his populist rhetoric resonated with many Iranians. The withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA in 2018 and the reimposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran vindicated Raisi in the eyes of many Iranians.
### Head of the Judiciary
. When the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) downed Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 in January 2020, mistakenly identifying the passenger plane as a U.S. cruise missile, Raisi oversaw the investigation. However, the investigation did little to hold Iranian officials publicly accountable, attributing the incident to errors by low-ranking operators.
# Ebrahim Raisi: Presidency and Challenges
## Presidential Election of 2021
In the presidential election of 2021, Ebrahim Raisi continued to present himself as a staunch defender against government corruption. He also expressed support for negotiating an international nuclear agreement that would prioritize Iranian interests. His prominent profile made him the clear front-runner, especially after his most serious challengers were disqualified in the weeks leading up to the election. With voter turnout slightly below 50 percent, Raisi won by an overwhelming margin and was inaugurated in August 2021.
## Initial Challenges and Policies
### Focus on Regime Security
Raisi inherited a pervasive crisis caused by international sanctions and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. At the beginning of his term, he prioritized regime security over economic relief. His first budget proposal significantly increased funding for the defense establishment while maintaining austerity in domestic spending. Despite the severe economic conditions, Raisi’s administration showed little urgency in renewing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which would have lifted sanctions. Instead, Raisi initially focused on strengthening ties with China and Iran’s neighboring countries, including restoring relations with Saudi Arabia in 2023, before seriously engaging in negotiations with the West.
### Economic Measures
Early in his presidency, Raisi's government ramped up its COVID-19 vaccination drive. However, little was done to address the ailing economy despite a water shortage and rising inflation. The lack of immediate action on renewing the JCPOA, coupled with the economic fallout from international sanctions, further strained Iran’s economy. In May 2022, Raisi announced a program of "economic surgery," which included sudden cuts to food subsidies. This resulted in some food prices nearly tripling overnight, exacerbating the economic hardship faced by ordinary Iranians.
## Protests and Civil Unrest
### Food Price Protests
The austerity measures and economic conditions led to widespread discontent among the populace. Protests erupted in May 2022 in response to the sudden spike in food prices. These protests, although massive, were soon overshadowed by larger demonstrations later in the year.
### Death of Jina Mahsa Amini
In September 2022, the death of 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini while in custody for "improper" dress sparked nationwide protests. Her death became a symbol of various grievances held by Iranians, including the subjugation of women, the suppression of minorities, and the government's overall indifference to citizens' welfare. Women played a leading role in the protest movement, publicly removing their veils and cutting their hair. The chant "Woman, Life, Freedom" (Kurdish: "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî"; Persian: "Zan, Zendegī, Āzādī") became widely adopted. Despite the broad participation in the protests, including from some Shiʿi clerics who favored voluntary hijab covering, Raisi blamed foreign actors for fomenting the unrest.
## Foreign Policy and Regional Tensions
### Confrontation with Israel
During the Israel-Hamas War that began in 2023, Raisi adopted an increasingly confrontational stance towards Israel. This was marked by heightened rhetoric and a historic visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss the conflict. Iran's regional allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi forces in Yemen, intensified their attacks on Israel. In April 2024, after Israeli forces killed senior officers of the IRGC’s Quds Force in Damascus, Iran responded by firing drones and missiles into Israeli airspace for the first time in the two countries' history. Raisi threatened a severe response if Israel retaliated, but he remained silent when Israel attacked a military complex in Iran days later.
### Diplomatic Efforts
Despite the tensions with Israel, Raisi continued to pursue diplomatic efforts with neighboring countries. He embarked on a high-profile visit to Pakistan, resulting in an agreement to boost bilateral trade to $10 billion over five years. Raisi then traveled to Sri Lanka, where he inaugurated a hydropower project constructed with Iranian technology and financial assistance.
## Death
On May 19, 2024, as Raisi was returning from a trip to inaugurate new dams jointly constructed with Azerbaijan along the countries' border, his helicopter crashed amid bad weather in the mountainous border terrain. Rescuers located the helicopter the following day, but there were no survivors.
## Conclusion
Ebrahim Raisi's presidency was marked by significant challenges, both domestic and international. His focus on regime security, coupled with economic austerity measures, led to widespread civil unrest and protests. Meanwhile, his confrontational foreign policy stance, particularly towards Israel, further complicated Iran's international relations. Raisi's untimely death brought an abrupt end to a tumultuous period in Iran's political landscape.
## Presidential Election of 2021
In the presidential election of 2021, Ebrahim Raisi continued to present himself as a staunch defender against government corruption. He also expressed support for negotiating an international nuclear agreement that would prioritize Iranian interests. His prominent profile made him the clear front-runner, especially after his most serious challengers were disqualified in the weeks leading up to the election. With voter turnout slightly below 50 percent, Raisi won by an overwhelming margin and was inaugurated in August 2021.
## Initial Challenges and Policies
### Focus on Regime Security
Raisi inherited a pervasive crisis caused by international sanctions and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. At the beginning of his term, he prioritized regime security over economic relief. His first budget proposal significantly increased funding for the defense establishment while maintaining austerity in domestic spending. Despite the severe economic conditions, Raisi’s administration showed little urgency in renewing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which would have lifted sanctions. Instead, Raisi initially focused on strengthening ties with China and Iran’s neighboring countries, including restoring relations with Saudi Arabia in 2023, before seriously engaging in negotiations with the West.
### Economic Measures
Early in his presidency, Raisi's government ramped up its COVID-19 vaccination drive. However, little was done to address the ailing economy despite a water shortage and rising inflation. The lack of immediate action on renewing the JCPOA, coupled with the economic fallout from international sanctions, further strained Iran’s economy. In May 2022, Raisi announced a program of "economic surgery," which included sudden cuts to food subsidies. This resulted in some food prices nearly tripling overnight, exacerbating the economic hardship faced by ordinary Iranians.
## Protests and Civil Unrest
### Food Price Protests
The austerity measures and economic conditions led to widespread discontent among the populace. Protests erupted in May 2022 in response to the sudden spike in food prices. These protests, although massive, were soon overshadowed by larger demonstrations later in the year.
### Death of Jina Mahsa Amini
In September 2022, the death of 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini while in custody for "improper" dress sparked nationwide protests. Her death became a symbol of various grievances held by Iranians, including the subjugation of women, the suppression of minorities, and the government's overall indifference to citizens' welfare. Women played a leading role in the protest movement, publicly removing their veils and cutting their hair. The chant "Woman, Life, Freedom" (Kurdish: "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî"; Persian: "Zan, Zendegī, Āzādī") became widely adopted. Despite the broad participation in the protests, including from some Shiʿi clerics who favored voluntary hijab covering, Raisi blamed foreign actors for fomenting the unrest.
## Foreign Policy and Regional Tensions
### Confrontation with Israel
During the Israel-Hamas War that began in 2023, Raisi adopted an increasingly confrontational stance towards Israel. This was marked by heightened rhetoric and a historic visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss the conflict. Iran's regional allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi forces in Yemen, intensified their attacks on Israel. In April 2024, after Israeli forces killed senior officers of the IRGC’s Quds Force in Damascus, Iran responded by firing drones and missiles into Israeli airspace for the first time in the two countries' history. Raisi threatened a severe response if Israel retaliated, but he remained silent when Israel attacked a military complex in Iran days later.
### Diplomatic Efforts
Despite the tensions with Israel, Raisi continued to pursue diplomatic efforts with neighboring countries. He embarked on a high-profile visit to Pakistan, resulting in an agreement to boost bilateral trade to $10 billion over five years. Raisi then traveled to Sri Lanka, where he inaugurated a hydropower project constructed with Iranian technology and financial assistance.
## Death
On May 19, 2024, as Raisi was returning from a trip to inaugurate new dams jointly constructed with Azerbaijan along the countries' border, his helicopter crashed amid bad weather in the mountainous border terrain. Rescuers located the helicopter the following day, but there were no survivors.
## Conclusion
Ebrahim Raisi's presidency was marked by significant challenges, both domestic and international. His focus on regime security, coupled with economic austerity measures, led to widespread civil unrest and protests. Meanwhile, his confrontational foreign policy stance, particularly towards Israel, further complicated Iran's international relations. Raisi's untimely death brought an abrupt end to a tumultuous period in Iran's political landscape.
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