Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is a prominent Iranian politician who served as the President of Iran from 2013 to 2021. He was born in Sorkheh, Semnan Province, Iran, and studied at the University of Tehran, where he earned a degree in Islamic Law. Rouhani's academic background also includes studies at the Glasgow Caledonian University and Columbia University. He is a member of the Assembly of Experts and the Expediency Discernment Council, and has been associated with various Iranian institutions, including the Iranian Parliament and the Supreme National Security Council.

● Early Life and Education

Hassan Rouhani was born in Sorkheh, a small town in Semnan Province, Iran, to a family of Bazaar merchants. His father, Asadollah Fereydoun, was a Sufi and a Bazaar merchant. Rouhani's early education took place in Sorkheh and Semnan, where he attended schools such as the Semnan Seminary and the Qom Seminary. He later moved to Qom to pursue his higher education at the Qom Seminary, where he studied under prominent Shia scholars like Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Khansari and Ayatollah Seyed Mohammad Hojjat Kuh-Kamari. Rouhani also studied at the University of Tehran, where he earned a degree in Islamic Law and was influenced by scholars like Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti and Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

● Political Career

Rouhani's political career began in the 1960s, when he became involved with the Iranian Resistance Movement against the Pahlavi dynasty. He was arrested and imprisoned several times by the SAVAK for his activism. After the Iranian Revolution in 1979, Rouhani became a member of the Iranian Parliament and served as a deputy speaker. He also held various positions, including secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and national security advisor to the President of Iran, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Rouhani was also a member of the Assembly of Experts and the Expediency Discernment Council, and has been associated with various Iranian institutions, including the Islamic Republican Party and the Moderation and Development Party.

● Presidency

Rouhani was elected as the President of Iran in 2013, defeating candidates like Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Saeed Jalili. His presidency was marked by significant events, including the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the P5+1 countries, which included the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, and Russia. Rouhani's government also implemented various economic reforms, including the Subsidy Reform Plan, which aimed to reduce subsidies and increase economic efficiency. He also appointed female ministers, such as Masoumeh Ebtekar, to his cabinet and supported the participation of women in Iranian politics.

● Domestic Policy

Rouhani's domestic policy focused on improving the Iranian economy, which had been affected by international sanctions and mismanagement. He implemented policies like the Subsidy Reform Plan and the Resistance Economy, which aimed to reduce dependence on oil exports and promote domestic production. Rouhani's government also invested in infrastructure projects, such as the Tehran Metro and the Iranian railway network, and supported the development of the Iranian private sector. He also promoted social and cultural freedoms, including the relaxation of restrictions on social media and the promotion of cultural exchange programs with countries like the United States and France.

● Foreign Policy

Rouhani's foreign policy was marked by a significant shift towards engagement with the international community. He played a key role in the negotiations leading to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the P5+1 countries, which included the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, and Russia. Rouhani's government also improved relations with neighboring countries, such as Iraq and Turkey, and participated in regional organizations like the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He also supported the Palestinian cause and maintained close relations with countries like Syria and Venezuela.

● Controversies and Criticisms

Rouhani's presidency was not without controversy. He faced criticism from hardline conservatives, who opposed his policies of engagement with the West and his support for social and cultural freedoms. Rouhani's government was also criticized for its handling of human rights issues, including the suppression of protests and the imprisonment of activists like Narges Mohammadi and Arash Sadeghi. He also faced challenges from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij, which opposed his policies and sought to limit his power. Despite these challenges, Rouhani remained a popular figure in Iranian politics and was re-elected as president in 2017, defeating candidates like Ebrahim Raisi and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.