Raisi

Raisi most commonly refers to Ebrahim Raisi, an Iranian cleric and conservative politician who has served as the President of Iran since 2021. Born on 26 December 1960 in Mashhad, he trained as a Shia cleric and began his career in the Iranian judicial system, rising through various prosecutorial and administrative roles.

In the 2010s Raisi held several high‑level positions within Iran’s judiciary. He was appointed deputy head of the judiciary and, in 2019, was named head of the judiciary by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a post he held until his presidential election. Raisi also ran in the 2017 presidential election, finishing second to incumbent Hassan Rouhani. He ran again in 2021 and won the presidency in a vote described by observers as consolidating conservative influence within Iranian political institutions.

As president, Raisi has pursued a conservative policy agenda within Iran’s political and economic structure. His tenure has taken place against a backdrop of ongoing international sanctions and negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. Domestically, his administration emphasizes security, governance, and the maintenance of state authority, while continuing to face challenges related to economic pressures, social constraints, and political dissent.

Raisi is associated with Iran’s principlist movement and is viewed as part of the hardline faction within Iranian politics. His leadership has been characterized by a focus on strengthening state institutions, aligning with conservative political allies, and navigating Iran’s domestic and foreign policy challenges in a period of international tension and sanctions.