kids encyclopedia robot

Ahmad Jannati facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Ahmad Jannati
احمد جنتی
Ahmad Jannati tsnm (cropped).jpg
Jannati in 2015
Chairman of the Assembly of Experts
In office
24 May 2016 – 21 May 2024
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
Preceded by Mohammad Yazdi
Succeeded by Mohammad-Ali Movahedi Kermani
Member of Expediency Discernment Council
In office
17 March 1997 – 20 September 2022
Appointed by Ali Khamenei
Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
Ali Movahedi-Kermani (acting)
Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Sadeq Larijani
Secretary of the Guardian Council
Assumed office
17 July 1992
Appointed by Ali Khamenei
Preceded by Mohammad Mohammadi Gilani
Tehran's Temporary Friday Prayer Imam
In office
3 April 1992 – 11 March 2018
Appointed by Ali Khamenei
Member of the Assembly of Experts
In office
23 February 1999 – 20 May 2024
Constituency Tehran Province
Majority 1,321,130 (29.35%)
In office
15 August 1983 – 22 February 1999
Constituency Khuzestan Province
Member of the Guardian Council
Assumed office
20 February 1980
Appointed by Ruhollah Khomeini
Ali Khamenei
Personal details
Born (1927-02-23) 23 February 1927 (age 98)
Isfahan, Imperial State of Iran
Political party Combatant Clergy Association
Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom
Spouses Sediqeh Mazaheri (1947–2015; her death)
Second spouse (2017–2023)
Children 4, including Ali
Residences Tehran, Iran
Profession Politician, cleric

Ahmad Jannati (born 23 February 1927) is an Iranian conservative politician and a religious leader. He is known for his traditional religious views. He also helped start the Haghani school of thought.

As of 2025, he is the chairman of the Guardian Council. This important group checks if new laws from the Majlis (Iran's parliament) follow the Constitution and sharia (Islamic law). The Guardian Council also approves candidates for various elections. Even though he is very old, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, trusts him greatly. This trust has kept him in his powerful position.

A Long Career in Iranian Politics

Ahmad Jannati has held many important roles in Iran's government. He has been a member of the Guardian Council since 1978. He became its chairman in 1988 and still holds this position.

In 2016, he became the chairman of the Assembly of Experts. This group is responsible for choosing the Supreme Leader. He was reappointed to the Guardian Council in 2022 and again as its chairman in 2023.

His Views and Beliefs

Ahmad Jannati has often shared his strong opinions on various topics. These views are based on his religious beliefs.

On Regional Support

During a Friday Prayer in 2006, Jannati said that supporting Hezbollah was a duty. He also expressed happiness when an Islamic state was formed in Iraq in 2005. He noted that its constitution was based on Islamic rules.

On Public Protests

In 2010, Jannati spoke about protests in Iran. He believed that being too soft on those who protested was not in line with Islamic teachings. He stated that religious texts guide how to deal with people who go against the government. However, Iran's judiciary chief disagreed. He said that political ideas should not affect legal decisions. He stressed that punishing an innocent person quickly would be wrong.

On the United States

Jannati has often spoken about the relationship between Iran and the United States. In 2007, he said that more people, even in America, were becoming interested in Islam. He believed that this religious movement would eventually challenge the power of America and its allies. He stated that Iran is against America because their core beliefs are different.

In 2008, he said that the Islamic military philosophy aims to create a very strong force. He believed this force would be unbeatable. In 2010, he spoke about an event where the holy Quran was disrespected in the United States. He called it "insane behavior." He also claimed that many Americans believed their own government was responsible for the September 11 attacks.

In 2014, he told a crowd that if the people are against America, their leaders should also oppose it. He said that "Death to America" was a main slogan for the Iranian people.

On Women's Dress Code

Jannati strongly supports the compulsory hijab for women. This means women must wear a head covering in public. In 2010, he criticized the Iranian President at the time for being too relaxed about this rule. He believed that religious laws, like those about hijab, should be strictly followed.

International Actions Against Him

In February 2020, the U.S. Treasury Department placed sanctions on Ahmad Jannati. These sanctions were put in place because the U.S. believed he was preventing fair elections in Iran.

About His Family

Ahmad Jannati was married to Sediqeh Mazaheri, and they had four sons. She passed away in 2015. He later remarried. One of his sons, Hossein Jannati, was killed in 1981 during a street conflict. Another son, Ali Jannati, served as a government minister.

See also

Images for kids

kids search engine
Ahmad Jannati Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.