President Ebrahim Raisi was a contender to be Iran's next supreme leader before he died when his helicopter crash ed in mountainous terrain in the country's north.In recent years, Mr Raisi positioned himself as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei with a clampdown on morality questions and a bloody crackdown on the nationwide protests it triggered.
Hundreds were killed, according to rights groups, including dozens of security personnel who were part of a fierce crackdown on the demonstrators.Although a political novice, Mr Raisi has had full backing for the nuclear stance and the security crackdown from his patron, the strongly anti-Western supreme leader.
Asked about allegations that he had played a part in the death sentences, Mr Raisi told reporters in 2021: "If a judge, a prosecutor, has defended the security of the people, he should be praised … I am proud to have defended human rights in every position I have held so far." Mr Raisi said that any Israeli retaliation against Iranian territory could result in there being nothing left of the "Zionist regime".
Ali Khamenei Helicopter Crash Israel Middle East
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »
Source: SBSNews - 🏆 3. / 89 Read more »
Source: brisbanetimes - 🏆 13. / 67 Read more »
Source: theage - 🏆 8. / 77 Read more »