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Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were killed in a helicopter crash on May 19. The crash, which was later confirmed to have no evidence of an attack, sparked discussions on Chinese social media platforms. Chinese netizens have been discussing Raisi's repressive track record and past interactions with Chinese leaders. Some netizens have celebrated Raisi's death with fireworks, while others have criticized his brutal track record and predicted that his successor would be even more brutal. There have also been jokes made about Raisi's honorary professorship at Peking University. Overall, Chinese social media comments have expressed mixed sentiments about Raisi's death and the relationship between China and Iran [8b88b56c].
Raisi's presidency was marked by controversy and human rights abuses. He was known for his support of terrorist organizations such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), Hezbollah, and Hamas. The IRGC-QF engages in covert lethal activities outside of Iran and supports terrorist activities abroad. Raisi praised Hamas for its terrorist attack on Israel and expressed support for the destruction of Israel. Iran, under Raisi's presidency, routinely violated the human rights of its own people, as evidenced by the case of Mahsa 'Zhina' Amini who died in the custody of Iran's 'morality police.' The Biden State Department refrained from acknowledging Raisi's role in denying Iranians their rights and freedoms [67eeff82] [24f3e1a1].
Despite his controversial legacy, Raisi also worked to build a more multipolar world during his presidency. Iran joined BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization under his leadership, aiming to challenge US unilateralism and hegemony. Raisi advocated for a 'Look East' strategy, deepening integration with the Global South. He pursued closer ties with Africa and Latin America, emphasizing the common struggle against Western imperialism. Raisi also promoted de-dollarization, encouraging the use of local currencies in bilateral trade, and supported the Palestinian national-liberation struggle against Israeli colonialism [663efaf9].
Following Raisi's death, US-sanctioned former Revolutionary Guards commander Vahid Haghanian has joined Iran's presidential race. Haghanian, a close aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, registered his qualifications based on 45 years of experience in the presidency and the leader's office. The U.S. Treasury designated Haghanian in 2019 as one of nine individuals responsible for 'advancing' domestic and foreign oppression [f88944be]. Former parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani and former central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati also registered as candidates [c1acd999]. The Guardian Council, which vets candidates, will publish the list of qualified candidates on June 11. The death of Raisi has triggered a race among hardliners to influence the selection of Khamenei's successor. Moderate politicians have accused the Guardian Council of disqualifying non-hardliner candidates. The elected president will be in charge of tackling worsening economic hardship in Iran [dca05ce0] [d990859f] [9c9cafa7].
Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has also announced his candidacy for the presidential election scheduled for June 28, 2024. Ahmadinejad, who held the office from 2005 to 2013, registered his candidacy at the Interior Ministry in Tehran and pledged to focus on solving economic problems. The final list of candidates will be decided by the Guardian Council, appointed by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Other notable candidates include former parliament speaker Ali Larijani and Tehran mayor Alireza Zakani. The council will release a list of approved candidates on June 11 [845f8c4a].
The Iranian regime's corruption has led to economic sanctions and increased inflation, causing over 80% of Iranians to live below the poverty line. The US welcomes new EU sanctions against individuals and entities within the Iranian regime [980ddc97].
In other news, Iran's judiciary has transferred six men to pre-execution solitary cells in Shiraz Central Prison [980ddc97]. Iran has also been engaged in covert negotiations with Niger's ruling junta for the acquisition of 300 tonnes of uranium concentrate [980ddc97]. MEK supporters organize an exhibition in Paris in solidarity with the Iranian revolution [980ddc97]. France denies a visa to the Iranian regime's para-swimming team [980ddc97].
The crash of Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter signifies the beginning of a new chapter in Iran's domestic policy, foreign affairs, and energy diplomacy [980ddc97]. Vahid Haghanian, the US-sanctioned candidate, now finds himself in Iran's presidential spotlight [980ddc97].
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) organized a condolence reference for the sad demise of Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister, and others in a helicopter crash a few days ago. LCCI President Kashif Anwar expressed condolences to the Iranian public. Iranian Consul General Mehran Movahed Far and other officials also addressed the occasion. President Anwar highlighted the strong friendship between Pakistan and Iran and the efforts made to strengthen bilateral relations. He mentioned President Raisi's background and achievements, including his role in international forums and his focus on peace, security, and economic development. Consul General Far thanked LCCI for organizing the condolence reference and emphasized the strong bond between the Iranian and Pakistani nations. He mentioned the upcoming presidential elections in Iran and the agreements signed between the two countries during President Raisi's tenure. The LCCI president also discussed the potential for increasing bilateral trade and the recent exhibition held in Lahore. The article concludes by mentioning a ceremony held at the end of the condolence reference.