Iran's Raisi, a Hard-Line Protégé of Supreme Leader, Becomes President
From Adviser to Khomeini to President of a Revolutionary Iran
Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line cleric and former Supreme Court chief, has been elected as Iran's new president. Raisi, a close ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, emerged as the frontrunner in the presidential race after key moderate and conservative rivals were disqualified.
Raisi's Rise to Power
Raisi's rise to prominence mirrors the transformation of Iran from a liberal Islamic country to a hardline Shia theocratic state. In January 1980, Abolhassan Banisadr was elected president, but Raisi, who was an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, clashed with him due to his leftist views. After Khomeini's death in 1989, Raisi was appointed prosecutor of Tehran, a position he held for several years.
A Hard-Line Presidency
As president, Raisi is expected to pursue hard-line policies, both domestically and internationally. He has close ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, an influential military and political force, and has pledged to crack down on political dissent and social unrest. Raisi has also vowed to confront Western powers, particularly the United States, and to strengthen Iran's regional influence.
Implications for the Future
Raisi's election is seen as a consolidation of power by Iran's hard-line faction at a time of heightened tensions with the West. It is likely to have significant implications for Iran's future, both domestically and internationally.
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