Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, known for his ultra-conservative views and history of human rights violations, tragically died in a helicopter crash on Monday. The crash, caused by fog and bad weather, claimed the lives of Raisi and several other government officials. The search for the missing helicopter lasted more than 12 hours before wreckage was found in a rural area near Iran’s border with Azerbaijan.
Raisi assumed the presidency in 2021 following an election that was marred by accusations of rigging. Despite low voter turnout, Raisi won with 62% of the votes cast. As a political ally to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Raisi was widely seen as a potential successor to the position. During his presidency, Raisi focused on expanding Iran’s influence in the Middle East, governing through economic crises, and escalating conflicts with Israel, bringing the two countries to the brink of war.
Under Raisi’s administration, enforcement of Iran’s “hijab and chastity law” increased significantly, leading to massive anti-government protests. The country also faced restrictions on women’s rights to sexual and reproductive healthcare as part of efforts to raise the population. Raisi was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2019 for his involvement in human rights violations, including the execution of children, imprisonment of human rights lawyers, and the mass execution of political prisoners in 1988.
Following Raisi’s death, Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, will serve as acting president. A leadership council will have 50 days to arrange for a new presidential election. Raisi, a religious scholar, rose through the ranks of the Iranian government after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. He was known for his role in the judiciary, where he earned the nickname “Butcher of Tehran” for his involvement in ordering thousands of political prisoner executions.
Raisi’s presidency was marked by widespread protests, including the “Woman Life Freedom” uprising sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. The use of death penalties as a means to instill fear following the uprising has been condemned by human rights organizations. Last year, Iran recorded the highest number of executions in a single year since 2015. Raisi’s death has left a power vacuum in Iran, with uncertainty surrounding the country’s leadership and future direction.
