https://www.scmp.com/rss/517787/feed The latest stories on Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian politician and former President of Iran, including Iranian political news and updates. <br /> en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Reuters Reuters US President Donald Trump’s pick for ambassador to South Africa has arrived in the country where he will seek to improve fraught ties between the two states. An embassy official told Reuters on Monday that ‌the envoy, conservative activist and writer Leo Brent Bozell III, had arrived. Bozell is expected to present his credentials to President Cyril Ramaphosa before officially taking up his post. Relations between Washington and Pretoria have deteriorated in the past year as Trump has accused... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3343771/trumps-new-ambassador-south-africa-arrives-country-amid-strained-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3343771/trumps-new-ambassador-south-africa-arrives-country-amid-strained-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 22:21:11 +0000 Tom Hussain Tom Hussain Israel’s attacks against Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities and assassinations of several of the regime’s leadership figures could pile pressure on Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei to drop his long-standing ideological opposition to Tehran’s construction of nuclear weapons. To arrive at that seminal moment, Tehran must first decide whether to carefully calibrate its response to the hundreds of Israeli attacks conducted overnight so as to avoid direct military intervention by the United States,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3314372/israels-attacks-risk-pushing-iran-towards-nuclear-weapon-development?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3314372/israels-attacks-risk-pushing-iran-towards-nuclear-weapon-development?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Jun 2025 11:14:52 +0000 The United States on Monday said it had been unable, due largely to logistical reasons, to accept an Iranian request for help following a helicopter crash over the weekend that killed President Ebrahim Raisi, as Washington offered its condolences. The rare request from Iran, which views the United States and Israel as its main adversaries, was disclosed by the State Department at a news briefing. “We were asked for assistance by the Iranian government. We did make clear to them that we would... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3263423/us-says-it-was-unable-provide-iran-help-after-helicopter-crash-killed-president-raisi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3263423/us-says-it-was-unable-provide-iran-help-after-helicopter-crash-killed-president-raisi?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 May 2024 20:17:24 +0000 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday accused the United States of “encouraging” Israel to kill and carry out “cruel acts” against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Gunmen from the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas stormed across Gaza’s border with Israel on October 7, killing about 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and taking over 240 hostages, according to Israeli officials. Since then, Israel has relentlessly bombarded Gaza and sent in ground troops, with the health ministry in the Hamas-run... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3240504/iran-accuses-us-encouraging-israel-kill-palestinians-and-commit-cruel-acts-gaza?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3240504/iran-accuses-us-encouraging-israel-kill-palestinians-and-commit-cruel-acts-gaza?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:25:59 +0000 Iran’s president denied his country had sent drones to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine, even as the United States accuses Iran of not only providing the weapons but helping Russia build a plant to manufacture them. “We are against the war in Ukraine,” President Ebrahim Raisi said on Monday as he met with media executives on the sidelines of the world’s premier global conference, the high-level leaders’ meeting at the UN General Assembly. The Iranian leader spoke just hours after five... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3235019/irans-president-denies-sending-drones-and-other-weapons-russia-decries-us-meddling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3235019/irans-president-denies-sending-drones-and-other-weapons-russia-decries-us-meddling?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Sep 2023 04:52:56 +0000 China will work with Iran to promote multilateralism in forums like Brics, Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday. Xi and Raisi met on the sidelines of the Brics summit in Johannesburg, and on the same day the bloc admitted Iran as one of six new members, along with Argentina, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. “We are willing to strengthen cooperation with Iran on Brics and other multilateral platforms, so as to push for... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3232218/xi-jinping-and-iranian-president-vow-work-together-strengthening-multilateral-alliances?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3232218/xi-jinping-and-iranian-president-vow-work-together-strengthening-multilateral-alliances?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:04:44 +0000 Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will meet in New York in September to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme among other issues, Kyodo news agency said on Sunday, quoting unnamed Iranian diplomatic sources. Kyodo also said Japan was making preparations for a meeting of foreign ministers from Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states in Saudi Arabia early next month. Iran aims to promote relations with Japan, traditionally a friendly nation, to... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3231710/japan-iran-leaders-meet-september-nuclear-talks-report?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3231710/japan-iran-leaders-meet-september-nuclear-talks-report?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Aug 2023 12:10:27 +0000 Iran and Saudi Arabia took a further step on Saturday to seal their reconciliation as Riyadh’s top diplomat made a landmark visit to the Islamic republic following a seven-year rupture. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan held talks with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian focusing on regional security, and was also to meet President Ebrahim Raisi. Sunni Muslim power Saudi Arabia severed relations with Shiite-led Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3224467/saudi-arabia-urges-improved-maritime-security-gulf-ties-iran-resume?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3224467/saudi-arabia-urges-improved-maritime-security-gulf-ties-iran-resume?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jun 2023 16:53:05 +0000 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Saturday that the hijab was the law in Iran after a viral video showed a man throwing yogurt at two unveiled women in a shop near a holy Shiite Muslim city. Growing numbers of women have defied authorities by discarding their veils after nationwide protests that followed the death in September of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman in the custody of the morality police for allegedly violating hijab rules. Security forces violently put down the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3215705/irans-president-raisi-says-hijab-law-after-unveiled-women-face-yogurt-attack?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3215705/irans-president-raisi-says-hijab-law-after-unveiled-women-face-yogurt-attack?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Apr 2023 17:33:54 +0000 China has taken a balanced approach to its ties with Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, but observers question whether its foreign policy in the region will be sustainable as its rivalry with the US intensifies. Few foreign leaders have been feted as much as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during his visit to Beijing last week. Upon arrival, Raisi inspected honour guards and was greeted with a 21-gun salute during a welcome ceremony hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3210855/china-pulls-balancing-act-middle-east-ties-how-long?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3210855/china-pulls-balancing-act-middle-east-ties-how-long?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Feb 2023 13:30:15 +0000 Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a state visit to Iran, the two countries announced in a joint statement, as Iranian leader Ebrahim Raisi wrapped up his first official trip to Beijing. Xi “gladly accepted the invitation” from the Iranian president, the statement said, but did not give any date for the visit. Xi’s last visit to Iran was in 2016 as part of a tour of the region. This came as Raisi on Thursday closed his own three-day state visit to China, the first trip to the country by an... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3210469/chinas-xi-jinping-set-iran-state-visit-ebrahim-raisi-closes-fruitful-beijing-trip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3210469/chinas-xi-jinping-set-iran-state-visit-ebrahim-raisi-closes-fruitful-beijing-trip?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Feb 2023 13:05:09 +0000 China will continue to play a constructive part in pushing for an early resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, President Xi Jinping told his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi in Beijing on Tuesday. “China will continue to constructively participate in the negotiations on resuming Iran’s nuclear agreement,” Xi told Raisi at a meeting at the Great Hall of the People. Xi also said Beijing attached great importance to bilateral ties and “will never waver no matter how the international and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3210164/iranian-president-china-deal-mission-both-countries-confront-western-pressure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3210164/iranian-president-china-deal-mission-both-countries-confront-western-pressure?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Feb 2023 10:00:22 +0000 Closer China-Iran ties are on the cards as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrives in Beijing for a three-day state visit on Tuesday, with analysts forecasting stronger strategic cooperation and a coordinated stand on the Iran nuclear deal. Raisi, who took office in August 2021 but has rarely travelled abroad, left for Beijing on Monday night – the first visit to China by an Iranian president since 2018. Tehran has called the trip a reflection of the “economic, political and strategic... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3210081/iran-nuclear-deal-seen-be-agenda-president-ebrahim-raisi-heads-china-first-state-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3210081/iran-nuclear-deal-seen-be-agenda-president-ebrahim-raisi-heads-china-first-state-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Feb 2023 14:05:06 +0000 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will visit China from Tuesday to Thursday as part of Beijing’s latest move to mend ties and cement cooperation with the Middle Eastern power. The Iranian leader was invited by President Xi Jinping, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Raisi’s three-day visit comes after a joint declaration by Xi and leaders of Gulf states in December prompted frustrations in Tehran. In the joint statement, which wrapped up a summit between China and the Gulf Cooperation... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3209952/iranian-president-visit-china-beijing-aims-mend-ties-after-riyadh-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3209952/iranian-president-visit-china-beijing-aims-mend-ties-after-riyadh-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Feb 2023 12:00:13 +0000 The Islamic Republic marked the 44th anniversary of the Iranian revolution on Saturday with state-organised rallies, as anti-government hackers briefly interrupted a televised speech by President Ebrahim Raisi. Raisi, whose hardline government faces one of the boldest challenges from young protesters calling for its ouster, appealed to the “deceived youth” to repent so they can be pardoned by Iran’s supreme leader. In that case, he told a crowd congregated at Tehran’s expansive Azadi Square:... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3209919/iran-marks-44th-anniversary-revolution-online-hackers-interrupt-state-tv-coverage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3209919/iran-marks-44th-anniversary-revolution-online-hackers-interrupt-state-tv-coverage?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Feb 2023 03:11:08 +0000 Iran on Saturday celebrated the 44th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution amid nationwide anti-government protests and heightened tensions with the West. Thousands of Iranians marched through major streets and squares decorated with flags, balloons and placards with revolutionary and religious slogans. The military put on display its Emad and Sejjil ballistic missiles and cruise missiles as well as its Shahed-136 and Mohajer drones. Protesters began pouring into the streets in September... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3209892/iran-marks-anniversary-1979-islamic-revolution-amid-anti-government-protests?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3209892/iran-marks-anniversary-1979-islamic-revolution-amid-anti-government-protests?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Feb 2023 12:43:28 +0000 Female students in Tehran chanted “get lost”, according to activists, as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visited their university campus on Saturday and condemned protesters enraged by the death of a young woman in custody. As nationwide demonstrations that have rocked Iran entered a fourth week, Raisi addressed professors and students at the all-female Alzahra University in Tehran, reciting a poem that equated “rioters” with flies. “They imagine they can achieve their evil goals in... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3195312/irans-female-students-tell-president-get-lost-protests-enter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3195312/irans-female-students-tell-president-get-lost-protests-enter?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Oct 2022 15:57:38 +0000 As street protests in Iran turned increasingly deadly, President Ebrahim Raisi on accused the West of maintaining a double standard on human rights. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Raisi attempted to deflect international outrage over the death last week of a 22-year-old woman in the custody of Iran’s so-called morality police. They reportedly arrested her for failing to completely cover her hair. Raisi also used the speech to insist that Iran was eager to revive the moribund... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3193369/irans-president-dismisses-criticism-protests-over-womens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3193369/irans-president-dismisses-criticism-protests-over-womens?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Sep 2022 03:46:34 +0000 The United Nations’ massive global summit returned on Tuesday with a stark warning from the world body’s chief of a coming “winter of global discontent” from rising prices, a warming planet and deadly conflicts. After two years of pandemic restrictions and video addresses, the UN General Assembly again asked leaders to come in person if they wish to speak – with a sole exception made for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, while saluting efforts for... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3193210/un-chief-warns-winter-discontent-he-opens-global-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3193210/un-chief-warns-winter-discontent-he-opens-global-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Sep 2022 20:03:44 +0000 A young Iranian woman who fell into a coma after being arrested in Tehran by the notorious morality police died on Friday, state media and her family said, with activists urging those responsible for her “suspicious” death be brought to justice. Mahsa Amini, 22, was on a visit with her family to the Iranian capital when she was detained by the police unit responsible for enforcing the Islamic republic’s strict dress code for women, which include the compulsory wearing of the headscarf in... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3192835/anger-iran-woman-dies-after-morality-police-arrest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3192835/anger-iran-woman-dies-after-morality-police-arrest?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Sep 2022 19:01:52 +0000 Iran and Venezuela, oil producers grappling with crippling US sanctions, signed a 20-year cooperation plan in Tehran on Saturday, with the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader saying the allies would continue to resist pressure from Washington. The signing ceremony, carried by Iranian state TV, was overseen by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro and took place at the Saadabad Palace in north Tehran. The plan includes cooperation in the fields of oil,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3181364/sanctions-hit-iran-signs-20-year-cooperation-deal-venezuela?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3181364/sanctions-hit-iran-signs-20-year-cooperation-deal-venezuela?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Jun 2022 17:50:13 +0000 Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Qatar on his first visit to a Gulf Arab state on Monday for a major gas summit that will be dominated by tensions over Ukraine. Raisi and Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, a close US ally, are also expected to discuss growing efforts to revive a stalled international deal to regulate Iran’s nuclear programme. Tuesday’s Gas Exporting Countries Forum will be overshadowed by growing tensions around Ukraine which have boosted demand for gas as... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3167860/irans-president-visits-qatar-gas-nuclear-talks-maiden-gulf?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3167860/irans-president-visits-qatar-gas-nuclear-talks-maiden-gulf?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Feb 2022 12:16:45 +0000 Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi vowed revenge against Donald Trump unless the former US president is tried over the killing of Qassem Soleimani, as Tehran marked two years since the revered commander’s death. The Islamic republic and its allies across the Middle East held emotional commemorations for General Soleimani and his Iraqi lieutenant who were assassinated in a US drone strike at Baghdad airport on January 3, 2020. Tehran’s arch enemies were targeted on the day of the anniversary in... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3162004/iran-vows-revenge-against-donald-trump-unless-former-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3162004/iran-vows-revenge-against-donald-trump-unless-former-us?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jan 2022 16:43:41 +0000 The United States warned on Saturday it would not allow Iran to “slow walk” international negotiations over its nuclear programme while at the same time ramping up its atomic activities – but stopped short of slamming the door on talks. The warning came a day after Washington hit out at Iran, saying talks with world powers had stalled because Tehran “does not seem to be serious.” “Iran did not show the posture of a country that is seriously thinking of a rapid return” to the 2015 accord aimed at... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3158502/us-warns-it-will-not-let-iran-slow-walk-nuclear-talks-stops?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3158502/us-warns-it-will-not-let-iran-slow-walk-nuclear-talks-stops?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Dec 2021 21:15:44 +0000 EU, Iranian and Russian diplomats sounded upbeat as Iran and world powers held their first talks in five months on Monday to try to save their 2015 nuclear deal, despite Tehran taking a tough stance in public that Western powers said would not work. Diplomats say time is running out to resurrect the pact, which then US President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018 in a move which infuriated Iran and dismayed the other powers involved – Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. European Union,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3157816/iran-nuclear-talks-resume-upbeat-comments-despite-scepticism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3157816/iran-nuclear-talks-resume-upbeat-comments-despite-scepticism?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Nov 2021 22:35:23 +0000 Iran agreed to resume talks on November 29 with world powers on reviving a nuclear deal after a five-month gap, with the United States urging a quick resolution. The indirect negotiations in Vienna come amid mounting pressure on Iran, with Western nations warning that the clerical state’s nuclear work is advancing to dangerous levels and Israel threatening to attack. EU envoy Enrique Mora, who led six rounds of talks earlier this year and recently flew to Tehran to seek progress, will again... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3154808/iran-nuclear-talks-resume-november-29-after-five-months?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3154808/iran-nuclear-talks-resume-november-29-after-five-months?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Nov 2021 05:26:23 +0000 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Tehran was ready to work with China on “establishing security, stability and peace” in Afghanistan amid lingering concerns of regional spillover from the war-torn country. In Raisi’s first telephone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping since taking office, the two nations spoke of boosting cooperation, with Xi backing Iran in nuclear negotiations and emphasising China’s determination to develop ties between the two. As the Taliban took power in Kabul... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3145667/iran-china-vow-regional-security-cooperation-after-talibans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3145667/iran-china-vow-regional-security-cooperation-after-talibans?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:40:28 +0000 Ebrahim Raisi, an ultraconservative cleric and protégé of Iran’s supreme leader, was sworn in as president on Tuesday as a new security crisis swirled in the vital shipping routes of the Persian Gulf and doubts build over the survival of the troubled 2015 nuclear deal. Raisi, 60, began his tenure after receiving the approval of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ending the eight-year rule of Hassan Rowhani, a more moderate figure who saw his ambition to build ties with the West flounder.... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3143628/irans-ebrahim-raisi-begins-presidency-crisis-grips-persian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3143628/irans-ebrahim-raisi-begins-presidency-crisis-grips-persian?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Aug 2021 06:49:51 +0000 Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday opened his first cabinet meeting since swearing in his new coalition government last week with a condemnation of the new Iranian president. He said Iran’s presidential election was a sign for world powers to “wake up” before returning to a nuclear agreement with Tehran. Iran’s hardline judiciary chief, Ebrahim Raisi, was elected on Saturday with 62 per cent of the vote although there was a low voter turnout. He is sanctioned by the US in part over... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3138090/israels-new-leader-warns-irans-election-sign-world-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3138090/israels-new-leader-warns-irans-election-sign-world-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Jun 2021 13:15:14 +0000 Ebrahim Raisi, the leading candidate for Iran’s hardliners in next month’s presidential election, has left many wondering whether the country’s fragile opening to the West could be under threat. The 56-year-old judge and cleric registered on Friday for the May 19 vote and his candidacy is being closely watched by foreign investors and diplomats who fear the return of a hardline administration that could threaten the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and efforts to open up trade. So far, Raisi... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/2088035/ebrahim-raisi-tipped-future-supreme-leader-wants-be-irans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/2088035/ebrahim-raisi-tipped-future-supreme-leader-wants-be-irans?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Apr 2017 08:33:42 +0000