Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s chief justice, has done so won a great victory in the country’s presidential election, a vote that propelled the supreme leader’s protégé to Tehran’s highest civilian position and saw the lowest turnout in the history of the Islamic Republic.
Raisi won 61.95 percent of the vote in Friday’s election with a turnout of 48.8 percent.
Raisi, 60, will take office in August, replacing moderate President Hassan Rouhani whom the Constitution did not allow to run for a third consecutive term.
It will take power at a critical time, as Iran tries to salvage its broken nuclear deal with major powers and free itself from punishing US sanctions that have driven a severe economic recession.
The election of Raisi, sanctioned by the United States for human rights violations, became a coronation after his strongest competition was disqualified from running.
Iran
Outgoing President Rouhani visited Raisi in his office to congratulate him.
“We will stand by and cooperate fully with the president-elect for the next 45 days, when the new government takes office (in early August),” Rouhani, a state media outlet, said.
Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Raisi and expressed hopes for “more continued development of constructive bilateral cooperation,” according to the RIA news agency quoting a Russian embassy press officer in Tehran .
Pakistan
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said he hoped to work with Raisi to “further strengthen” the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Iran for “regional peace, progress and prosperity.”
Congratulations to the excellent brother Ibrahim Raisi @raisi_com on his historic victory in the 13th presidential election of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We look forward to working with him to further strengthen our fraternal ties and to achieve regional peace, progress and prosperity.
– Imran Khan (mImranKhanPTI) June 19, 2021
Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Raisi on his victory, saying he believed cooperation between the two neighbors would be strengthened during Raisi’s tenure.
“Affirming my belief that cooperation between our two countries will be strengthened during your presidency, I am willing to work together with you,” Erdogan said in a letter sent to Raisi.
Syria
Assad congratulated Raisi on his victory and said he was eager to work with the new president to strengthen ties between the two countries, according to a statement from the Syrian presidency.
Iraq
“I sincerely congratulate and bless you on your occasion [Raisi’s] the election as president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, “Iraqi President Barham Salih said.
“In Iraq we hope to strengthen our strong relations with our neighbor Iran and its people.”
Amnesty International
Human rights group leader Agnes Callamard said Raisi’s election victory called for Raisi to be investigated for “crimes against humanity.””.
“That Ebrahim Raisi has won the presidency instead of being investigated for crimes against humanity of murder, enforced disappearance and torture, is a reminder smile that impunity reigns in Iran,” he posted on Twitter.
“We continue to demand that Ebrahim Raisi be investigated for his involvement in past and ongoing crimes under international law, including states exercising universal jurisdiction.”
The result of #Iran “choice” was predictable. But still that #EbrahimRaisi has risen to the presidency instead of being investigated for crimes against humanity of murder, enforced disappearance and torture, it is a reminder smile that impunity reigns in Iran
– Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) June 19, 2021
Hamas
“We congratulate the Islamic Republic of Iran on the success of the democratic process, the holding of the presidential election and the victory of Ebrahim Raisi as President of Iran,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement. in Gaza.
“We wish the Islamic Republic of Iran progress and prosperity. Iran has always been a fundamental and real defender of the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian resistance.”
United Arab Emirates
“We wish the Islamic Republic and our bilateral relations stability, continuity and prosperity,” Dubai’s vice president and de facto governor, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, said in a statement tweeted by the Dubai media office.
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, also sent a message of congratulations to Raisi, state news agency WAM reported.
UAE leaders congratulate Ebrahim Raisi on winning Iran’s presidential election#WamNewshttps://t.co/d44qtkRkJQ
– English WAM (@WAMNEWS_ENG) June 19, 2021
Human Rights Watch
Raisi’s path to the presidency was through “repression and unfair elections,” Michael Page, HRW’s deputy director in the Middle East, said in a statement.
“As head of Iran’s repressive justice, Raisi oversaw some of the most heinous crimes in Iran’s recent history, which deserve investigation and accountability rather than being elected to a high office.”
. @hrw‘s @MichaelARPage: “Iranian authorities pave the way for Ebrahim Raeesi to become president through repression and unfair elections” https://t.co/MNy4NPARYw pic.twitter.com/F5XrEoEBNI
– Tara Sepehri Far (تارا سپهریفر) 😷 (@sepehrifar) June 19, 2021
