Iran’s judiciary chief, Ebrahim Raisi, has won a landslide victory in the country’s presidential election, which had the lowest turnout in the Islamic republic’s history and pushed the supreme leader’s protege into Tehran’s top civilian position.
On a voter turnout of 48.8%, Raisi received 61.95 percent of the vote.
Raisi, 60, will take office in August, succeeding President Hassan Rouhani, who was barred from seeking re-election for a third consecutive term under the constitution.
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He will rule the country at a pivotal moment for Iran, as it attempts to repair its shattered nuclear deal with other powers and free itself from harsh US sanctions that have sparked a dramatic economic downturn.
Raisi’s election became more of a coronation after his main competitors were disqualified from running due to human rights violations.
Pakistan
Imran Khan, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, expressed intention of working with Raisi to “further deepen our fraternal connections” between Pakistan and Iran for “regional peace, progress, and prosperity.”
Turkey
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, congratulated Raisi on his victory, saying he hoped collaboration between the two neighbours will improve during Raisi’s term.
In a letter to Ebrahim Raisi, Erdogan stated, “I am ready to collaborate with you, stating my view that collaboration between our two countries would improve during your president.”
Syria
According to a statement from the Syrian presidency, Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad congratulated Raisi on his victory and expressed his desire to work with the new president to enhance ties between the two nations.
Iraq
Barham Salih, the president of Iraq, expressed his “sincere congratulations and blessings” on Raisi’s election as Iran’s president.
In a statement, he said, “We in Iraq look forward to improving our solid relations with our neighbour Iran and its people.”
Yemen
According to al-Masirah TV, Mahdi al-Mashat, the head of the Houthi movement’s political office, congratulated Raisi on his victory.
Qatar
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, gave Raisi a message wishing him success as well as the continued development and advancement of the two nations’ relations, according to state news agency QNA.
Kuwait
Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, sent Raisi a note wishing him continued success and well-being, as well as the friendly Islamic Republic’s expansion and prosperity, according to the KUNA official news agency.
Hamas
In a statement, Hamas spokesman in Gaza Hazem Qassem said, “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 Iran’s president.”
“We wish Iran’s Islamic Republic success and happiness. Iran has always been a staunch and unwavering backer of the Palestinian cause and resistance.”
United Arab Emirates
In a statement sent by Dubai’s media office, Vice-President and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “We hope for the Islamic Republic, and for our bilateral relations, stability, continuity, and prosperity.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, also congratulated Raisi, according to the state ne:ws agency WAM.
United States of America
The US voiced concern that Iranians were unable to vote in the country’s presidential election in a “free and fair democratic process.”
Russia
According to RIA news agency, citing a press official at the Russian embassy in Tehran, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Ebrahim Raisi and expressed expectations for “further growth of a constructive bilateral relationship.”
Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the new Iranian president at his first Cabinet meeting after being sworn in last week.
“Of all the people that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could have chosen, he chose the Tehran hangman, the man infamous among Iranians and around the globe for commanding the death squads that murdered hundreds of innocent Iranian citizens over the years,” Bennett added.
