World reacts to the election of Iran's hardline new President Ebrahim Raisi

U.S.

The United States said it regretted that Iranians were not able to participate in a “free and fair electoral process” in the country’s presidential election.

A spokesperson for the US Department of State said Washington will nonetheless continue indirect talks with Tehran on rejoining the 2015 nuclear deal.

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Raisi and expressed hopes for “further development of a constructive bilateral cooperation”, according to RIA news agency citing a press officer at the Russian embassy in Tehran.

Israel 

Israel condemned Raisi, saying he was Iran’s “most extremist president to date”.

“The butcher of Tehran, Ebrahim Raisi, has been rightly denounced by the international community for his direct role in the extrajudicial executions of over 30,000 people,” Lior Haiat, Israeli foreign ministry spokesman, said in a statement.

“An extremist figure, committed to Iran’s rapidly advancing military nuclear programme, his election makes clear Iran’s true malign intentions, and should prompt grave concern among the international community.”

Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Raisi on his victory, saying he believed cooperation between the two neighbours would become stronger during Raisi’s term.

“Stating my belief that cooperation between our two countries will strengthen during your presidency, I am ready to work together with you,” Erdogan said in a letter sent to Raisi.

Syria

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad congratulated Raisi on his victory and said he was keen to work with the new president to strengthen ties between the two countries, a statement from the Syrian presidency said.

Yemen

Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi movement’s political office, sent a message of congratulations to Raisi on his victory, the Yemeni al-Masirah TV reported.

Qatar

Qatar’s Emir Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani sent a message to Raisi “wishing him success as well as further development and growth of the relations between the two countries,” state news agency QNA said.

Kuwait

Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Sabah, Kuwait’s emir, messaged Raisi, “wishing him further success and wellness, as well as the friendly Islamic Republic to further progress and prosper,” according to KUNA state news agency.

Amnesty International 

Agnes Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International, said Raisi’s election win called for Raisi to be investigated for “crimes against humanity”.

“That Ebrahim Raisi has risen to the presidency instead of being investigated for the crimes against humanity of murder, enforced disappearance and torture, is a grim reminder that impunity reigns supreme in Iran,” she posted on Twitter.

“We continue to call for Ebrahim Raisi to be investigated for his involvement in past and ongoing crimes under international law, including by states that exercise universal jurisdiction.”

UAE

“We wish for the Islamic Republic, and for our bilateral relations, stability, continuity and prosperity,” Vice-President and de facto Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said in a statement tweeted by Dubai’s media office.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed also sent a message of congratulations to Raisi, state news agency WAM reported.

Human Rights Watch 

Raisi’s path to presidency was through “repression and an unfair election”, Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at HRW, said in a statement.

“As head of Iran’s repressive judiciary, Raisi oversaw some of the most heinous crimes in Iran’s recent history, which deserve investigation and accountability rather than election to high office.”

Iraq

Iraqi President Barham Salih extended his “sincere congratulations and blessings” on Raisi’s election as president of Iran.

“We in Iraq look forward to strengthening our solid relations with our neighbour Iran and its people,” he said in a statement.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi also congratulated Raisi by telephone, according to a tweet from the prime minister’s office, and expressed his hopes for further cooperation on economic and security matters “in addition to the fight against terrorism, and in a way that boosts the security and stability of the two countries and the Region.”