Expected to succeed the Supreme Guide of the Revolution Ali Khamenei, Ebrahim Raïssi died on Sunday in the crash of his helicopter. He was 63 years old.
Elected for the first time on June 18, 2021, the Iranian president was described as an ultra-conservative cleric.
Protected by the Supreme Guide, he succeeds Hassan Rouhani, considered a moderate, and whose presidency is marked by the conclusion of the international agreement on Iranian nuclear power.
Born in 1960, Ebrahim Raïssi would, over several decades, climb the ranks of the judicial system, until he was appointed Attorney General of Iran. A few years later, in 2019, he became head of the Judicial Authority, then was elected president of the country two years later.
As soon as he came to power, he presented himself as the defender of the poor classes and the fight against corruption. Internally, his mandate is marked by strong protest at the end of 2022 after the death of student Mahsa Amini, arrested for non-compliance with the country’s dress code.
For three years, he also led Iran in a tense international context. On the American blacklist, Ebrahim Raïssi considered the United States and Israel to be Iran’s enemies.
Relations between the three countries have deteriorated with the war in the Gaza Strip and the support given to Hamas by Tehran.
After the announcement of his disappearance, the Iranian government assured that his death would not cause the slightest disruption in the administration of the country. Ebrahim Raïssi will be replaced by the vice-president, Mohamed Mokhber.
A transition which should last less than two months. The Iranian Constitution provides for the organization of a presidential election within 50 days.