Behind the Scenes: Iranian Leaders and the Women Beside Them

Ebrahim Raisi, born in 1960, is a cleric and former judiciary chief who became president in 2021. Long associated with Iran's conservative establishment, Raisi is also remembered for his role in the 1988 mass executions of political prisoners. As president, he has prioritized economic resistance, Islamic values, and a tougher stance against Western pressures. His presidency continues amid deepening economic woes, low voter turnout, and growing discontent, particularly among younger Iranians seeking greater freedoms.