Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was a prominent Iranian politician who served as the fourth President of Iran from 1989 to 1997, following Ali Khamenei and preceding Mohammad Khatami. He was a key figure in the Iranian Revolution and played a crucial role in the country's transition to an Islamic republic. Rafsanjani was also the chairman of the Assembly of Experts from 2007 to 2011, and the chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council from 1997 until his death in 2017. He was a close ally of Ruhollah Khomeini and Hassan Rouhani, and worked closely with other notable Iranian politicians, including Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Mir-Hossein Mousavi.

● Early Life and Education

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was born on August 25, 1934, in Bahreman, Razavi Khorasan, to a family of Persian farmers. He studied at the University of Tehran and later at the Hawza in Qom, where he was influenced by prominent Shia scholars, including Ruhollah Khomeini and Mohammad Taghi Khansari. Rafsanjani was also acquainted with other notable Iranian clerics, such as Ali Khamenei and Morteza Motahhari, and was involved in the Iranian Revolution alongside Mehdi Bazargan and Abolhassan Banisadr. He was a member of the Freedom Movement of Iran and worked closely with Mohammad Mossadegh and Jalal Al-e-Ahmad.

● Political Career

Rafsanjani's political career began in the 1960s, when he was involved in the Iranian Revolution against the Pahlavi dynasty. He was a close ally of Ruhollah Khomeini and played a key role in the Islamic Republican Party. After the revolution, Rafsanjani served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Iran from 1980 to 1989, where he worked closely with Ali Khamenei and Mir-Hossein Mousavi. He was also a member of the Supreme National Security Council and the Expediency Discernment Council, and worked with other notable Iranian politicians, including Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hassan Rouhani. Rafsanjani was a key figure in the Iran-Iraq War and played a crucial role in the country's relations with Syria, Lebanon, and PLO.

● Presidency

Rafsanjani was elected as the fourth President of Iran in 1989, following Ali Khamenei. During his presidency, he implemented various economic and social reforms, including the First Five-Year Development Plan and the Second Five-Year Development Plan. He also played a key role in the country's relations with Russia, China, and EU, and worked closely with Mikhail Gorbachev and Helmut Kohl. Rafsanjani's presidency was marked by significant events, including the Gulf War and the Oslo Accords. He was also a strong supporter of the Palestinian people and worked closely with Yasser Arafat and Hamas.

● Later Life and Death

After his presidency, Rafsanjani continued to play an active role in Iranian politics. He was the chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council from 1997 until his death in 2017, and the chairman of the Assembly of Experts from 2007 to 2011. Rafsanjani was also a member of the Supreme National Security Council and worked closely with Hassan Rouhani and Ali Larijani. He passed away on January 8, 2017, at the age of 82, and was buried in the Tehran Behesht-e Zahra cemetery, alongside other notable Iranian figures, including Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei. Rafsanjani's death was mourned by many Iranian politicians, including Hassan Rouhani and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as well as international leaders, such as Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

● Legacy

Rafsanjani's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He is remembered as a key figure in the Iranian Revolution and a strong supporter of the Islamic republic. Rafsanjani's economic and social reforms had a significant impact on the country, and his foreign policy initiatives helped to improve Iran's relations with the international community. He was also a strong advocate for human rights and democracy, and worked closely with Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Rafsanjani's legacy continues to be felt in Iran, and his influence can be seen in the country's current political landscape, with leaders such as Hassan Rouhani and Ebrahim Raisi drawing on his experience and expertise. Category:Presidents of Iran