A tribute to the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi

Yesterday, I accepted an invitation from Iran’s Press TV to give my appreciation of President Raisi, who died tragically in a helicopter crash a week ago.

See https://www.urmedium.net/c/presstv/129636

The two key words that come to mind to characterize Ebrahim Raisi are dignity and restraint. These very positive features of the man who steered the ship of state through the turbulent waters of the past couple of years in turn were surely reinforced by the close mutual bonds established during his tenure with both Russia and China in the context of BRICS.

Transcript below by a reader

PressTV: 0:02
And now joining us from Brussels is Gilbert Doctorow, independent international affairs analyst, for more on the life and legacy of late Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi and his foreign minister Hossein Amiri Abdullahi, among others, aboard that fatal helicopter crash, northwestern Iranian mountains. Mr Doctorow, your initial thoughts on the passing of the Iranian president?

Dr Gilbert Doctorow: 0:26
Two words that come to mind when I pay my tribute to President Raisi, and these words are dignity and restraint. I think his presence at the helm of the Iranian state during the last very difficult months and couple of years now-- when Israel has been so provocative and has committed such outrages against the Muslim community in the Middle East-- his presence at the helm was very important to prevent the conflict from going in the most dangerous directions. As it was, there was a brief direct exchange of "courtesies" between Iran and Israel following the Israeli attack on sovereign property of Iran in his diplomatic mission. The message that was sent by Iran surely had been approved by the president, and it was one that was effective, at the same time did not cause calamitous damage, did not cause loss of life.

1:39
But the message that was sent was understood, and that is that Iran is fully capable of utterly destroying Israel at any moment of its choosing, with missiles that pass through the Iron Dome. So this restraint was most important for Iran, for the region, and for the world at large.

PressTV:
Right, and it was a really trying time for the President and his Foreign Minister, Mr. Doctorow, post-October 7th, with this onslaught we've seen on Gaza, this filthy campaign of genocide. Are you surprised that you saw more perseverance and resources exhausted, political capital for that matter, to bring an end to the suffering of the Palestinians by two leaders from Iran rather than so many world Arab leaders and Muslim leaders that's pretty much sat by. Many condemnations but very [little], if any action.

Doctorow: 2:41
Well, I think that the inaction of other regional players may be attributable to the bullying that they receive from the United States, whereas Iran is fully capable to stand up to the United States, as it has demonstrated. And that is what separates its policies with respect to Gaza from those of other neighbors who are, even of a significant neighbor like Turkey, who are speaking loud words and doing absolute nothing. Iran does. Iran has very effectively worked with its network of partners in the region. These are militias, these are ...the Houthis. They are encouraged and assisted by Iran, and they have been giving back to the United States a lesson from its own rule book on how you conduct proxy wars.

PressTV: 3:40
And do you agree with his staunch opposition to U.S. military or at all, even bureaucratic presence in the region of West Asia? He was very against the apartheid, the usurping regime in Tel Aviv. But just as much so he was against U.S. military and diplomatic presence in West Asia and all the interference and bullying and dictates that comes with it.


Doctorow: 4:05
Well, the position of Iran in international affairs is well bookmarked by its membership in BRICS, and it has at its side the most important economic and military forces in the world. By that I mean China and Russia. This, I think, gives a certain assurance and self-confidence to the leaders of Iran, which...

PressTV: 4:39
Okay. Mr. Doctorow ... I appreciate you joining us. Just toward the end of your remarks there, we're getting a choppy feed now, but we got the most, about 90 percent, of what you said earlier on. So I want to appreciate you. actually accepting the invite and coming on the program to speak and bless you and stay good. Thanks. From Brussels, Gilbert Doctorow there, independent international affairs analyst joining us.