Following are some world reactions to the election of Ebrahim Raisi as president of Iran. Raisi, 60, is a hardline judge who is loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and subject to U.S. sanctions for alleged human rights abuses.
VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT
“Relations between our countries are traditionally friendly and good-neighborly. I hope that your activities in this high post will contribute to the further development of constructive bilateral cooperation in various directions, as well as to the partnership in international affairs. This fully meets the interests of the Russian and Iranian peoples, goes in line with the strengthening of regional security and stability,” Putin said in a message to Raisi, according to the Kremlin.
LIOR HAIAT, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN
“After the Supreme Leader effectively dictated to the Iranian public who they could choose, less than 50% of Iranian citizens eligible to vote have elected its most extremist president to date….