Tragedy has struck Iran as President Ebrahim Raisi has been killed when the helicopter carrying him and other officials went down in a mountainous, forested area during poor weather conditions in Azerbaijan.
Raisi, 63, had served as president for nearly three years after being elected in 2021. A conservative hardliner, he was seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Born in the religious hub of Mashhad, Raisi underwent seminary training in Qom studying under top scholars like Khamenei himself. Like the Supreme Leader, Raisi wore the black turban signifying his status as a sayyid – a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. This position carried particular significance for Twelver Shia Muslims like those in Iran.
Prior to becoming president, Raisi served as attorney general from 2014-2016 and later headed the immensely wealthy Astan Quds Razavi charitable foundation which manages the shrine of Imam Reza. He was also a longtime member of the Assembly of Experts responsible for selecting the next Supreme Leader upon Khamenei’s passing.
Raisi’s death at such a pivotal time has thrown Iran into Crisis and uncertainty. The presidential line of succession is unclear, as is the question of who might eventually replace the ailing 85-year-old Khamenei as Supreme Leader.
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