History of Ebrahim Raisi in Timeline

Ebrahim Raisi, widely recognized as Ebrahim Raisi, held the position of Iran's eighth president from 2021 until his passing in 2024. His journey began with clerical studies at the age of 15, and he went on to become a Muslim jurist associated with the Principlist faction.

December 1960: Ebrahim Raisi is born

Ebrahim Raisi was born in December 1960 into a clerical family in Mashhad, Iran.

1975: Ebrahim Raisi attends Ayatollah Boroujerdi School

In 1975, Ebrahim Raisi attended Ayatollah Boroujerdi School to further his education in Qom Seminary.

1976: Ebrahim Raisi continues his studies at the Ayatollah Borujerdi school

In 1976, Ebrahim Raisi returned to Qom to continue his education at the Ayatollah Borujerdi school.

1979: Ebrahim Raisi joins the Tehran branch of the "1988 Iran death commission"

Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Ebrahim Raisi began working with the Tehran branch of the "1988 Iran death commission".

1981: Ebrahim Raisi is appointed prosecutor of Karaj and Hamadan

Ebrahim Raisi was appointed prosecutor of Karaj in 1981. Later that year, he was appointed prosecutor of Hamadan, serving in both positions simultaneously.

1981: Previous Death of an Iranian President in Office

The May 2024 helicopter crash that killed Ebrahim Raisi was the second time an Iranian president died in office. Mohammad-Ali Rajai, the first, died in a bombing in 1981.

1982: Ebrahim Raisi is appointed prosecutor of Hamedan province

Ebrahim Raisi was appointed prosecutor of Hamedan province in 1982.

1984: Ebrahim Raisi's term as prosecutor of Hamedan province ends

After serving for three years, Ebrahim Raisi's term as prosecutor of Hamedan province ended in 1984.

1985: Ebrahim Raisi is appointed Deputy prosecutor of Tehran

Ebrahim Raisi was appointed Deputy prosecutor of Tehran in 1985.

July 1988: The 1988 executions of Iranian political prisoners begin

On July 19th, 1988, a series of state-sponsored executions of political prisoners began in Iran, lasting for around five months.

August 1988: Ebrahim Raisi participates in the Tehran "death committee" meeting

Ebrahim Raisi was a member of Tehran's "death commission" during the 1988 executions of Iranian political prisoners. In August 1988, a meeting of the Tehran "death committee" took place, in which Raisi participated.

1988: Allegations of Involvement in Mass Executions

Ebrahim Raisi faced serious accusations of involvement in the mass executions of political prisoners in 1988, leading to international calls for investigation and potential legal action.

1988: Defense of Role in 1988 Executions

Ebrahim Raisi maintained that his role in the 1988 Iranian mass executions of political prisoners was something he should be honored for, further fueling controversy surrounding his actions.

1988: Ebrahim Raisi is accused of crimes against humanity

In 1988, the United Nations and other organizations accused Ebrahim Raisi of crimes against humanity for his role in the executions of Iranian political prisoners.

1988: Ebrahim Raisi addresses legal issues in multiple provinces

In early 1988, Ebrahim Raisi was tasked with addressing legal issues in several provinces, including Lorestan, Semnan, and Kermanshah.

1988: Criticism of Raisi's Legacy

Maryam Rajavi, leader of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, criticized Ebrahim Raisi's legacy following his death in May 2024, citing his role in the 1988 executions of Iranian political prisoners. This statement highlights the controversies surrounding Raisi's past actions and their impact on his legacy.

1989: Ebrahim Raisi is appointed Tehran prosecutor

After the death of Khomeini and the election of Ali Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader, Ebrahim Raisi was appointed Tehran prosecutor.

1994: Controversy Surrounding Ahmad Vahidi Nomination

Ebrahim Raisi's nomination of Ahmad Vahidi as Minister of Interior sparked international condemnation due to Vahidi's alleged role in the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires.

1994: Ebrahim Raisi is appointed head of General Inspection Office

In 1994, Ebrahim Raisi was appointed head of General Inspection Office.

2004: Ebrahim Raisi begins his term as First Deputy Chief Justice of Iran

Ebrahim Raisi began his term as First Deputy Chief Justice of Iran in 2004.

2004: Ebrahim Raisi becomes Deputy Chief Justice of Iran

Ebrahim Raisi served as Deputy Chief Justice of Iran from 2004 to 2014.

2006: Ebrahim Raisi is elected to the Assembly of Experts

In 2006, Ebrahim Raisi was elected to the Assembly of Experts for the first time.

2012: Ebrahim Raisi serves as Special Clerical Court prosecutor

From 2012 to 2021, Ebrahim Raisi served as Special Clerical Court prosecutor by order of the Supreme Leader.

2014: Ebrahim Raisi becomes Attorney General of Iran

Ebrahim Raisi served as Attorney General of Iran from 2014 to 2016.

2014: Support for Sex Segregation

In a 2014 interview, Ebrahim Raisi expressed his support for sex segregation, stating that it creates a more relaxed work environment for women.

March 2016: Chairman of Astan Quds Razavi

In March 2016, Ebrahim Raisi became the chairman of Astan Quds Razavi, a position previously held by Abbas Vaez-Tabasi. He was the second person to hold this office since 1979.

2016: Ebrahim Raisi becomes Chairman of Astan Quds Razavi

Ebrahim Raisi resigned from his position as Attorney General to become Chairman of Astan Quds Razavi in 2016.

2016: Ebrahim Raisi resigns as Attorney-General of Iran

Ebrahim Raisi resigned from his position as Attorney-General of Iran in 2016.

2016: Saudi Arabia and Iran Restore Diplomatic Ties

Following secret talks in Beijing brokered by China, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore diplomatic relations in 2016.

2016: Audio recording of the Tehran "death committee" meeting is released

In 2016, an audio recording of the August 1988 meeting of the Tehran "death committee" was released, revealing Raisi's involvement in the executions.

February 2017: Presidential Nomination

Ebrahim Raisi was named as a presidential candidate by the Popular Front of Islamic Revolution Forces (JAMNA) in February 2017.

April 2017: Official Presidential Candidacy Announcement

On April 6, 2017, Ebrahim Raisi officially announced his presidential candidacy, emphasizing the need for change in the executive management of the country. He registered his candidacy on April 14, 2017.

May 2017: Support from Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf

In May 2017, conservative candidate Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf withdrew his candidacy and pledged his support to Ebrahim Raisi's campaign.

2017: Presidential Campaign and Economic Promises

During his 2017 presidential campaign, Ebrahim Raisi pledged to tackle corruption, create six million jobs, and increase monthly state benefits threefold from Rls.450,000 per citizen. He also presented sanctions against Iran as an opportunity for economic growth and self-reliance.

2017: Support for Resistance Economy

In 2017, Ebrahim Raisi advocated for a "resistance economy" as the solution to poverty and deprivation in Iran, promoting the agricultural sector over commercial retail.

2017: Ebrahim Raisi runs for president but loses

In 2017, Ebrahim Raisi ran for president as the candidate of the conservative Popular Front of Islamic Revolution Forces, but lost to the incumbent president Hassan Rouhani.

2018: Ebrahim Raisi speaks about the 1988 killings

During a lecture in 2018, Ebrahim Raisi, then Iran's president, did not deny his presence at the 1988 "death committee" meeting and referred to the killings as "one of the proud achievements of the system".

November 2019: Sanctions by the United States

The United States Department of State imposed sanctions on Ebrahim Raisi in November 2019 for alleged human rights abuses.

2019: Ebrahim Raisi becomes Chief Justice of Iran

Ebrahim Raisi served as Chief Justice of Iran from 2019 to 2021.

2019: End of Term as Chairman of Astan Quds Razavi

In 2019, Ebrahim Raisi's term as chairman of Astan Quds Razavi came to an end.

2019: Identified as Potential Successor to Supreme Leader

In 2019, Saeid Golkar of Al Jazeera named Ebrahim Raisi as the most likely successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the Supreme Leader of Iran. This perspective solidified Raisi's position as a prominent figure in Iranian politics.

2020: Continued Speculation as Potential Successor

Dexter Filkins, in 2020, highlighted Ebrahim Raisi as a frequently mentioned potential successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, further emphasizing Raisi's rising influence and the anticipation surrounding the Supreme Leader's eventual succession.

2020: Comparison of Funeral Turnout to Qassem Soleimani's Funeral

While the funeral processions for Ebrahim Raisi in 2024 drew hundreds of thousands of mourners in Tehran, the turnout was notably lower than that of Iranian Revolutionary Guard general Qassem Soleimani's funeral in 2020. This contrast highlights the significant impact and public image of Soleimani.

February 2021: Increase in COVID-19 Vaccine Imports

Since Ebrahim Raisi assumed office, there has been a significant surge in COVID-19 vaccine imports. More than 30 million doses were imported in the Iranian month of Shahrivar, surpassing the total imports since February 2021.

August 2021: Inauguration as President of Iran

Ebrahim Raisi officially became the president of Iran on August 3, 2021, following his appointment by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He was sworn in on August 5th, outlining his government's goals and priorities.

2021: Ebrahim Raisi is elected president of Iran

Ebrahim Raisi ran for president for a second time in 2021 and won, succeeding Rouhani.

2021: Ebrahim Raisi steps down as Chief Justice of Iran

Ebrahim Raisi stepped down from his position as Chief Justice of Iran in 2021.

2021: Ebrahim Raisi is appointed President by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Ebrahim Raisi was appointed President by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in 2021.

2021: Ebrahim Raisi Wins Presidential Election

Ebrahim Raisi won the 2021 Iranian presidential election, securing 63% of the votes with a 48.8% turnout. The election was considered by many observers to be rigged in Raisi's favor.

2021: Ebrahim Raisi finishes serving as Special Clerical Court prosecutor

Ebrahim Raisi's term as Special Clerical Court prosecutor ended in 2021.

2021: Ebrahim Raisi becomes the eighth president of Iran

In 2021, Ebrahim Raisi became the eighth president of Iran.

2021: Call for Arrest at Climate Conference

There was a formal request to arrest Ebrahim Raisi for crimes against humanity if he attended the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Scotland.

March 2022: Alleged Pledge of Alliance with Russia

According to Foreign Policy, at the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, Ebrahim Raisi pledged his support to Russia.

April 2022: Warning to Israel

In April 2022, Ebrahim Raisi issued a warning that Iran would target Israel if it took any action against his country.

2022: Large-scale protests erupt in Iran

In late 2022, large-scale protests broke out across Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini on September 16th.

February 2023: Visit to China and Cooperation Agreements

From February 14-17, 2023, Ebrahim Raisi visited China and met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The two countries signed 20 cooperation agreements and committed to strengthening their relations.

December 2023: Cancellation of Geneva Trip

Ebrahim Raisi canceled a planned trip to Geneva in December 2023 due to accusations of his involvement in the torture and murder of prisoners in 1988, which could have led to his arrest.

January 2024: Prediction of Israel's Destruction

In January 2024, Ebrahim Raisi predicted that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas would ultimately lead to the destruction of Israel.

May 2024: Ebrahim Raisi dies

Ebrahim Raisi died in May 2024.

May 2024: Death in Helicopter Crash

Ebrahim Raisi, a frontrunner to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader according to Time magazine, died in a helicopter crash in May 2024. His untimely death abruptly ended his political aspirations and potential candidacy for the Supreme Leader position.