John Malone
May 24, 2024 - 04:05

Ebrahim Raisi: Iranian President Helicopter Crash History & Profile

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi dies in tragic helicopter crash. Career marked by controversies. Vice President to assume presidency temporarily.

Iran is currently mourning the tragic loss of its incumbent president, Ebrahim Raisi, who perished in a helicopter crash in the East Azerbaijan province. Raisi took office in 2021 amidst a tumultuous period in Iran, with his term expected to end in 2025 as per the country's constitution.

During his presidency, Iran faced significant economic challenges, and tensions with Israel escalated to unprecedented levels. The 63-year-old leader met his untimely demise along with eight government officials while returning from Azerbaijan, where he was inaugurating a dam on May 18.

Raisi's political career can be traced back to the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic revolution, where he gained notoriety as "The Butcher of Tehran" for his involvement in the mass executions of Marxists and leftists in 1988. He rose through Iran's theocratic hierarchy, transitioning from a hardline prosecutor to an uncompromising president known for crackdowns on protests and involvement in nuclear negotiations.

Throughout his tenure, Raisi maintained a hostile stance towards the United States and Israel, even launching missiles at Israel in April of the same year. He staunchly supported Palestinians, a key aspect of Iran's foreign policy since the revolution.

Following Raisi's sudden death, the first vice president, Mohammad Mukhber, will assume the presidency in an acting capacity, pending confirmation by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A council will be formed to organize the election of the new president within 50 days, with Khamenei confirming Mukhber as the next president.

The bodies of President Raisi and the other officials were discovered on May 20, marking a somber moment in Iran's political landscape. The nation now faces the task of mourning the loss of its leader while navigating the process of selecting a new president to guide the country forward.