Masoud Pezeshkian

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Masoud Pezeshkian
Pezeshkian in 2025
Masoud Pezeshkian
Born29 9, 1954
BirthplaceMahabad, West Azerbaijan, Iran
NationalityIranian
OccupationPolitician, heart surgeon
Known for9th President of Iran
EducationTabriz University of Medical Sciences (MBBS); Iran University of Medical Sciences
Spouse(s)Fatemeh Majidi (died 1994)
Children4
Website[drpezeshkian.ir Official site]

Masoud Pezeshkian (born 29 September 1954) is an Iranian politician, physician, and heart surgeon who has served as the ninth and current President of Iran since 28 July 2024. Born in Mahabad in Iran's West Azerbaijan Province to an Iranian Azerbaijani family, Pezeshkian built a career that spanned medicine, military service, and public office before reaching the presidency. A member of the reformist political faction, he won the 2024 presidential election against Principlist nominee Saeed Jalili, presenting himself as a moderate voice within Iranian politics. At the age of 69 upon taking office, Pezeshkian became the oldest person to serve as President of Iran.[1] His political career began in 1997 when he joined the administration of President Mohammad Khatami, initially as Deputy Health Minister and subsequently as Minister of Health and Medical Education from 2001 to 2005. He was elected to the Islamic Consultative Assembly (parliament) five consecutive times between 2008 and 2024, representing the Tabriz, Osku and Azarshahr electoral district in East Azerbaijan Province. Before his medical and political careers, Pezeshkian served as a doctor treating Iranian soldiers during the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988) as a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.[2] His presidency has been marked by the continuation of Iran's support for the "Axis of Resistance" in the broader Iran–Israel proxy conflict, diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, and escalating tensions with Israel.

Early Life

Masoud Pezeshkian was born on 29 September 1954 in Mahabad, a city in West Azerbaijan Province in northwestern Iran.[3] He comes from an Iranian Azerbaijani family. Mahabad is a predominantly Kurdish city in the ethnically diverse northwestern region of Iran, an area home to significant Azerbaijani, Kurdish, and other minority populations. Pezeshkian's upbringing in this multiethnic environment would later inform his political positions, particularly his advocacy for the rights of ethnic minorities and mother-tongue education in Iran.[4]

During the Iran–Iraq War, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, Pezeshkian served as a military doctor treating wounded Iranian soldiers on the front lines. He served within the ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during this conflict.[5] His wartime service as a frontline physician shaped his subsequent career in both medicine and politics, and he has publicly spoken about this period of his life, expressing continued pride in his IRGC service.[6]

Education

Pezeshkian pursued his medical education at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, where he earned his medical degree (MBBS).[3] He further advanced his medical training at the Iran University of Medical Sciences, specializing in cardiac surgery.[2] He built an academic career as a heart surgeon, maintaining a presence in scholarly research. His academic work is documented through international research databases, including records in ORCID, Scopus, and Google Scholar.[7][8][9]

Career

Medical Career

Following his medical education, Pezeshkian practiced as a heart surgeon. His professional medical career was intertwined with his military service during the Iran–Iraq War, during which he served as a physician treating soldiers on the front lines.[1] After the war, he continued his medical career and maintained an academic profile, publishing research in the field of cardiac surgery. His dual identity as a physician and politician became a defining characteristic of his public image, and he was frequently identified by the title "Dr. Pezeshkian" throughout his political career.[2]

Early Political Career and Governorship

Pezeshkian's entry into governance began with administrative posts in northwestern Iran. He served as governor of Piranshahr and Naghadeh counties, both located in West Azerbaijan Province.[3] These positions provided him with experience in regional administration in an ethnically diverse area of the country.

His national political career began in 1997, when President Mohammad Khatami appointed him as Deputy Minister of Health. This appointment aligned Pezeshkian with the reformist movement that Khatami represented within Iranian politics.[2]

Minister of Health and Medical Education

Pezeshkian served as Iran's Minister of Health and Medical Education from 22 August 2001 to 24 August 2005, during the second term of President Mohammad Khatami's administration.[10] In this role, he succeeded Mohammad Farhadi and was in turn succeeded by Kamran Bagheri Lankarani when the administration of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took office. His tenure as health minister allowed him to apply his medical expertise directly to national health policy, and the position raised his profile within the reformist political establishment.[3]

Parliamentary Career (2008–2024)

Pezeshkian was elected to the Islamic Consultative Assembly (the Iranian parliament, or Majlis) five consecutive times, representing the Tabriz, Osku and Azarshahr electoral district in East Azerbaijan Province. His first term began on 27 May 2008, and he served continuously until his election as president in 2024.[1] In his initial election to parliament, he received 261,605 votes, representing 36.27% of the vote in the district.

During his parliamentary tenure, Pezeshkian rose to a prominent legislative position, serving as First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament from 2016 to 2020.[2] In this capacity, he was one of the senior figures in the legislative body and played a role in managing parliamentary proceedings.

Throughout his time in parliament, Pezeshkian was known for his outspoken positions on several issues. He advocated for the rights of ethnic minorities in Iran and was a vocal proponent of mother-tongue education, calling for the provision of education in minority languages such as Azerbaijani, Kurdish, and others alongside Persian.[4] This position reflected both his own Azerbaijani heritage and his upbringing in the multiethnic West Azerbaijan Province.

Pezeshkian also attracted attention for his positions on social issues. He was associated with the reformist camp in Iranian politics but maintained certain positions that did not always align neatly with either reformist or principlist factions. His IRGC service during the Iran–Iraq War and his stated pride in that service distinguished him from some other reformist figures.[5][6]

Previous Presidential Bids

Prior to winning the presidency in 2024, Pezeshkian attempted to run for president on two previous occasions. In the 2013 presidential election, he registered as a candidate but ultimately withdrew from the race.[1] In the 2021 presidential election, he sought to run but was rejected by the Guardian Council, the body responsible for vetting candidates for presidential elections in Iran. The Guardian Council's disqualification of Pezeshkian was part of a broader pattern in the 2021 election, in which numerous reformist and moderate candidates were barred from running.[11]

2024 Presidential Election

The 2024 Iranian presidential election was called following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May 2024. Mohammad Mokhber served as acting president in the interim period. Pezeshkian registered as a candidate and, unlike in 2021, was approved by the Guardian Council to run.[1]

Pezeshkian positioned himself as the primary reformist and moderate candidate in the race. He ran against several principlist candidates, most notably Saeed Jalili, a former nuclear negotiator and prominent conservative figure. During the campaign, Pezeshkian expressed support for reviving diplomatic efforts regarding Iran's nuclear program and advocated for the lifting of international sanctions against Iran.[2] He also emphasized social issues, including minority rights and the need for greater political openness.

The election proceeded to a runoff between Pezeshkian and Jalili. Pezeshkian won the runoff, defeating Jalili and securing the presidency. He presented himself as a moderate alternative to the principlist camp, drawing support from reformist voters and those seeking a change in direction from the policies of the Raisi administration.[12]

Presidency (2024–present)

Pezeshkian took office as the ninth President of Iran on 28 July 2024, with Mohammad Reza Aref serving as his Vice President. At age 69, he became the oldest person to assume the Iranian presidency.[2]

Foreign Policy and the Iran–Israel Conflict

Pezeshkian's presidency has been significantly shaped by the ongoing Iran–Israel proxy conflict and broader regional tensions. Upon taking office, he continued Iran's support for the "Axis of Resistance," a network of Iran-aligned groups across the Middle East including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories.[13]

In October 2024, Pezeshkian presided over Iranian missile strikes on Israel. These strikes were carried out in response to Israel's assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and Iranian military officer Abbas Nilforoushan. The strikes represented a significant escalation in the direct confrontation between Iran and Israel.[13]

Subsequently, in 2025, Israel carried out strikes on Iranian territory, which included an unsuccessful attempt on Pezeshkian's life. In response, Pezeshkian authorized Iranian retaliatory strikes against Israel. These exchanges contributed to a further escalation of tensions into what has been described as the Iran–Israel war.[13]

Nuclear Diplomacy

A stated priority of Pezeshkian's presidency has been the revival of negotiations with the United States and other world powers regarding Iran's nuclear program, with the goal of lifting international sanctions imposed on Iran. Pezeshkian expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear issue, building on the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which the United States withdrew in 2018 under President Donald Trump.[14]

However, the escalation of the Iran–Israel conflict has complicated these diplomatic efforts. The military confrontations between Iran and Israel, particularly following the 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran, created an environment in which nuclear negotiations faced additional obstacles.[14]

Personal Life

Pezeshkian was married to Fatemeh Majidi, who died in 1994. Together they had four children.[3] Following his wife's death, Pezeshkian did not remarry and raised his children as a single father, a fact that has been noted in media profiles of him.[1]

Pezeshkian is of Iranian Azerbaijani ethnicity and grew up in the multiethnic city of Mahabad in West Azerbaijan Province. His ethnic background and upbringing in a diverse region have been cited as influences on his political advocacy for minority rights and mother-tongue education in Iran.[4]

While officially running as an independent candidate, Pezeshkian is politically aligned with the reformist faction in Iranian politics. His political identity combines his reformist leanings with his background as an Iran–Iraq War veteran who served in the IRGC, a combination that has given him a distinctive profile within the Iranian political landscape.[2][5]

Recognition

Pezeshkian's election as president in 2024 drew significant international attention, as he was the first reformist-aligned candidate to win the Iranian presidency since Hassan Rouhani. International media outlets, including the Financial Times and the BBC, published extensive profiles examining his background and political positions.[12][13]

The Atlantic Council published an analysis describing Pezeshkian as a "game changer" in the context of the 2024 presidential election, noting his status as the sole reformist candidate approved to run and his potential impact on Iranian domestic and foreign policy.[2]

Within Iran, Pezeshkian has been recognized for his long career in public service spanning medicine, military service, regional governance, ministerial office, and parliamentary leadership. His academic contributions to cardiac surgery have been documented in international scholarly databases.[15]

His advocacy for ethnic minority rights and mother-tongue education in Iran has earned him recognition among minority communities, particularly among Iranian Azerbaijanis and other linguistic minorities who have sought greater cultural and educational rights within the Iranian system.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Who Is Masoud Pezeshkian, the Only Pro-Reform Candidate?".IranWire.https://iranwire.com/en/politics/130417-who-is-masoud-pezeshkian-the-only-pro-reform-candidate/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "Masoud Pezeshkian: A reformist game changer in Iran's presidential election".Atlantic Council.https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/iransource/masoud-pezeshkian-reformist-game-changer-election-president/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "مسعود پزشکیان کیست".Entekhab.https://web.archive.org/web/20240618200636/https://www.entekhab.ir/fa/news/790680/%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%BE%D8%B2%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Iran Majlis Deputy Speaker on Mother Tongue Education".Radio Farda.https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-majlis-deputy-speaker-on-mother-tongue-education/29191703.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "مسعود پزشکیان: من باز هم لباس سپاه می‌پوشم".Rokna.https://www.rokna.net/video/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A2%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B4-100/1006449-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%BE%D8%B2%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%85-%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%DA%86%DB%8C%D8%B2%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "پزشکیان: من باز هم لباس سپاه می‌پوشم".Eslahat News.https://eslahatnews.com/%D9%BE%D8%B2%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%BE%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%9B-%D8%B3/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Masoud Pezeshkian – ORCID".ORCID.https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1498-2837.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Masoud Pezeshkian – Scopus Author Details".Scopus.https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=26644337500.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Masoud Pezeshkian – Google Scholar".Google Scholar.https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Pn1QYCcAAAAJ.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Pezeshkian".Tehran Times.http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=220282.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "افراد رد صلاحیت شده فقط توانستند یک نامه بنویسند".ILNA.http://www.ilna.ir/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C-3/351532-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%81%D9%82%D8%B7-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%AF-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%86%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%AF.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Masoud Pezeshkian".Financial Times.https://www.ft.com/content/95896b95-85aa-40d0-9aa5-f06c8a769e3e.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "Pezeshkian".BBC Persian.https://www.bbc.com/persian/articles/czdd70dk37qo.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "A look at the long, fraught timeline of Iran nuclear tensions as talks with US loom".SFGATE.2026-02-24.https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/a-look-at-the-long-fraught-timeline-of-iran-21937939.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Masoud Pezeshkian – Google Scholar".Google Scholar.https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Pn1QYCcAAAAJ.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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