Masoud Pezeshkian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Masoud Pezeshkian
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مسعود پزشکیان
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Pezeshkian in 2024
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| 9th President of Iran | |
| Assumed office 28 July 2024 |
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| Supreme Leader | Ali Khamenei |
| Vice President | Mohammad Reza Aref |
| Preceded by | Ebrahim Raisi Mohammad Mokhber (acting) |
| Member of the Consultative Assembly | |
| In office 27 May 2008 – 28 July 2024 Serving with Farhanghi, Alirezabeigi, Saei, Saeidi and Bimeghdar
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| Constituency | Tabriz, Osku and Azarshahr, (East Azerbaijan) |
| Majority | 261,605 (36.27%) |
| Minister of Health and Medical Education | |
| In office 22 August 2001 – 24 August 2005 |
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| President | Mohammad Khatami |
| Preceded by | Mohammad Farhadi |
| Succeeded by | Kamran Bagheri Lankarani |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 September 1954 Mahabad, Imperial State of Iran |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
Reformists |
| Spouse | Fatemeh Majidi (died 1994) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (MBBS) Iran University of Medical Sciences |
| Profession | Heart surgeon |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Iran |
| Branch/service |  IRGC |
| Battles/wars | Iran–Iraq War |
Masoud Pezeshkian (born 29 September 1954) is an Iranian politician and doctor. He became the ninth President of Iran on 28 July 2024.
Before becoming president, Pezeshkian served as a governor in two counties, Piranshahr and Naghadeh. He was also elected to the Iranian parliament five times. He represented the Tabriz, Osku, and Azarshahr area. From 2001 to 2005, he was the Minister of Health and Medical Education. This was during the time Mohammad Khatami was president.
Pezeshkian ran for president in 2013 but later decided not to continue. He also ran in the 2021 election but did not win. In the 2024 presidential election, he won on 5 July. He received 54.76% of the votes. He is the oldest person to become President of Iran, taking office at 69 years old.
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Early Life and Education
Pezeshkian was born in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan, on 29 September 1954. His parents were Azerbaijani. He considers himself and his parents to be Turks. In 1973, he finished high school. He then moved to Zabol for his military service. During this time, he became very interested in medicine.
After his service, he went back to his home province. He studied medicine and became a general doctor. During the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), Pezeshkian often visited the battlefields. He helped send medical teams and worked as both a soldier and a doctor. He finished his general doctor's training in 1985. After that, he started teaching physiology at a medical college.
After the war, Pezeshkian continued his studies. He specialized in general surgery at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. In 1993, he became a specialist in cardiac surgery at Iran University of Medical Sciences. He later became the president of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences from 1994 to 1999.
Political Career
Pezeshkian's political journey began in 1997. He became Deputy Health Minister under Mohammad Khatami's government. He then served as the Iranian Health Minister from 2001 to 2005.
After that, he was elected to the Iranian parliament for five terms. This was from 2008 to 2024. He represented the area of Tabriz, Osku, and Azarshahr. From 2016 to 2020, he was the First Deputy Speaker of the parliament.
Becoming President in 2024
On 6 July 2024, Pezeshkian was elected President. He won the second round of the 2024 Iranian presidential election. He received 16.3 million votes, which was about 53.7%. His opponent, Saeed Jalili, received 13.5 million votes.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, officially appointed him president on 28 July 2024. Pezeshkian then took his oath in front of the Iranian parliament on 30 July.
After becoming president, Pezeshkian chose several people for important roles. He kept Mohammad Eslami as Vice President. He also appointed Mohammad Reza Aref and Saeed Ohadi to new positions. He chose Mohsen Haji-Mirzaei as his chief of staff. Mohammad Javad Zarif became Vice President for Strategic Affairs. Pezeshkian also appointed Zahra Behrouz Azar as Vice President for Women and Family Affairs.
In September 2024, Pezeshkian made his first international trip as president. He visited Iraq. This trip happened during a time of difficult relations between Iran and the United States. Both countries are allies of Iraq. He also met with leaders in Iraqi Kurdistan in Erbil.
Views and Policies
On the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Pezeshkian supports the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He has said that the IRGC today is different from how it was in the past. In 2019, he spoke against the decision by the United States to call the IRGC a terrorist group.
After an American drone was shot down by Iran in 2019, Pezeshkian called the American government "terrorist." He said the IRGC's action was "a strong punch" to America's leaders. In June 2024, Pezeshkian wore an IRGC uniform during a meeting. He said he would wear it again because the IRGC helps keep the country united.
On Protests in Iran
Pezeshkian has sometimes criticized how the Iranian system handles things. During the 2009 protests, he spoke about how protesters were treated. He said people should not be treated "like a wild animal."
He believed Iran's way of dealing with the 2018 protests was wrong. He said the country's system was responsible for the problems. After the 2022 protests, Pezeshkian asked for a team to investigate the death of Mahsa Amini. He felt that how protesters were handled and tried was against the constitution. He asked that defendants should have lawyers. However, he later released a statement condemning the protests. He said they were not good for the people.
On Foreign Policy
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Pezeshkian wants to restart talks with the United States about Iran's nuclear program. He has promised to bring back the agreement from 2015. This agreement would lift international sanctions against Iran.
He supports friendly relationships with all countries except Israel. He has stated that Iran will continue to support the "Axis of Resistance" against Israel. After becoming president, he said Iran would keep supporting the Palestinians in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Pezeshkian has also accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians.
Pezeshkian also defends Iran's missile program. He says it is needed for the country's defense against Israel. He believes Israel should disarm first before talks with the United States.
On Ethnic Groups and Women's Rights
Pezeshkian cares about the rights of different ethnic groups in Iran. These include Azeris, Kurds, and Baluchis. He says their rights should be protected. He supports applying Article 15 of the Iranian Constitution for all ethnic groups. This article states that while Persian is the official language, local languages can be used in media and taught in schools. He believes this helps prevent groups from wanting to separate. Pezeshkian also supports teaching the Azerbaijani language in Iranian schools.
Pezeshkian has increased the number of women and people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds in his government. He promised this during his election campaign. He appointed two women as Vice Presidents and one woman as a minister. He also appointed a woman as the government's spokesperson. He chose a Sunni politician as Vice President of Rural Development. This was the first time a Sunni had such a high position. Many women have also been appointed as governors across the country.
Personal Life
Pezeshkian's wife was a gynecologist. Sadly, she and their youngest son died in a car crash in 1993. He raised his two remaining sons and daughter by himself. He has never remarried. His daughter, Zahra, has a master's degree in chemistry. She is also seen as a political adviser.
Pezeshkian teaches about the Quran. He also recites the Nahj al-balagha, an important text for Shia Muslims.
Besides Persian, Pezeshkian speaks several other languages. These include Azerbaijani, Kurdish, Arabic, and English.
Pezeshkian is a fan of the football team Tractor S.C..
See also
In Spanish: Masoud Pezeshkian para niños
