Biography
Hassan Rouhani, originally named Hassan Fereydoun, was born on November 12, 1948, in Sorkheh, Iran. He is an Iranian cleric, politician, and diplomat who served as the seventh President of Iran from 2013 to 2021. Rouhani blends his religious roles as a Shia mujtahid with over thirty years of political involvement. He has studied in different settings, including the Qom Hawza seminary, the University of Tehran, and Glasgow Caledonian University, where he earned advanced law degrees.
After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Rouhani became actively involved in Iran's new government. He served as deputy speaker during the fourth and fifth terms of Iran's Parliament (Majlis) and was Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council from 1989 to 2005. In this role, he was Iran's chief nuclear negotiator with European countries, mainly the UK, France, and Germany, gaining a reputation as a diplomat skilled in engaging with Western nations while protecting Iran's interests.
As President, Rouhani aimed for economic recovery, diplomacy, and some social reforms. His most notable success was negotiating the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015, better known as the Iran nuclear deal, which eased sanctions in return for limits on Iran's nuclear efforts. Domestically, he pushed for more personal freedoms, appointed women to key roles like foreign ministry spokespersons, and championed a 'civil rights charter.' His presidency involved balancing Iran's revolutionary values with practical governance and international relations.
Rouhani is seen as a centrist in Iran's politics, seen as both a reformist and a moderate conservative. He won re-election in 2017 with 57.1% of the vote, one of the few Iranian presidents to gain a second term with more votes. Throughout his career, he has received many honors, including the Order of Islamic Revolution, Order of Fath (2nd class), and Order of Nasr (1st class), showing his position in Iran's politics. His time in office ended in 2021, leaving a complex legacy of diplomacy, economic issues, and ongoing conflicts with both internal hardliners and other countries.
Before Fame
Hassan Rouhani started his rise in politics at the religious seminaries in Qom, where he studied Islamic scholarship during the Pahlavi monarchy in Iran. Born to a modest family in the small town of Sorkheh, he first focused on religious studies and was known as a capable student of Islamic law. The 1979 Islamic Revolution changed his path from solely religious studies to active involvement in politics, as many clerics were urged to help build Iran's new theocratic system.
His early career took place during Iran's most unsettled times, including the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) and the development of new government institutions. During this important period, Rouhani showed talent in both religious scholarship and practical governance, leading to his appointment to various top positions in Iran's new political structure. His ability to move between traditional religious authority and modern statecraft, along with his advanced education in both Islamic studies and at Western universities, made him a key figure connecting Iran's clerical establishment with the need for expert governance.
Key Achievements
- Negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement with world powers in 2015
- Served as Iran's chief nuclear negotiator with European powers from 1989 to 2005
- Won two consecutive presidential elections (2013, 2017) with increased vote shares
- Appointed the first female foreign ministry spokespersons in Iranian history
- Served as Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council for 16 years
Did You Know?
- 01.He changed his surname from Hassan Fereydoun to Hassan Rouhani early in his political career, with 'Rouhani' meaning 'spiritual' or 'clerical' in Persian
- 02.Time magazine included him in its 2013 list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World following his presidential election
- 03.He served continuously on Iran's Supreme National Security Council for 32 years from 1989 to 2021, making him one of its longest-serving members
- 04.Rouhani holds a law degree from Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland, making him one of the few Iranian presidents with Western higher education credentials
- 05.He was the first Iranian president to directly communicate with a U.S. president since 1979 when he spoke by phone with Barack Obama in September 2013
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Order of Islamic Revolution | — | — |
| Order of Fath, 2nd class | — | — |
| Order of Nasr, 1st class | — | — |