Ahmad Jannati facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ahmad Jannati
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احمد جنتی
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![]() Jannati in 2015
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Chairman of the Assembly of Experts | |
In office 24 May 2016 – 21 May 2024 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Appointed by | Ali Khamenei |
Preceded by | Mohammad Mohammadi Gilani |
Tehran's Temporary Friday Prayer Imam | |
In office 3 April 1992 – 11 March 2018 |
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Appointed by | Ali Khamenei |
Member of the Assembly of Experts | |
In office 23 February 1999 – 20 May 2024 |
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Constituency | Tehran Province |
Majority | 1,321,130 (29.35%) |
In office 15 August 1983 – 22 February 1999 |
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Constituency | Khuzestan Province |
Member of the Guardian Council | |
Assumed office 20 February 1980 |
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Appointed by | Ruhollah Khomeini Ali Khamenei |
Personal details | |
Born | Isfahan, Imperial State of Iran |
23 February 1927
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.
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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
- List of ayatollahs
- Khamenei
- Ahmad Khatami
- Emami-Kashani
- Aboutorabi Fard
- Movahedi-Kermani
- Haj Ali Akbari
- Friday prayer