Masoud Pezeshkian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Masoud Pezeshkian
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مسعود پزشکیان
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Pezeshkian in 2025
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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 | Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps |
| Battles/wars | Iran–Iraq War |
Masoud Pezeshkian (born 29 September 1954) is an Iranian politician. He is the ninth and current president of Iran since 2024. He is part of the reformist group, which aims for changes in Iran. He became president at 69 years old, making him the oldest person to hold this position.
Pezeshkian was born in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan, to an Iranian Azerbaijani family. He studied medicine at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. During the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), he worked as a doctor for Iranian soldiers. His political career started in 1997 as Deputy Health Minister. He then served as Minister of Health from 2001 to 2005. Later, he was elected to the parliament five times, representing Tabriz, Osku and Azarshahr, from 2008 to 2024. He was also the First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament from 2016 to 2020. He ran for president in 2013 (but withdrew) and 2021 (but was not allowed to run). In the 2024 election, he presented himself as a moderate candidate and won.
As president, Pezeshkian has continued to support the "Axis of Resistance" in the Iran–Israel proxy conflict. He oversaw the October 2024 Iranian strikes on Israel in response to certain events. He also hoped to restart talks about Iran's nuclear program to lift international sanctions. However, after the 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran and an unsuccessful attempt on his life, tensions grew into the Iran–Israel war.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Pezeshkian was born in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan, on 29 September 1954. His parents were Iranian Azerbaijani and he considers himself to be of Turkic background. In 1973, he finished high school and moved to Zabol for his military service. During this time, he became interested in medicine. After his service, he returned home and studied medicine at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.
During the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), Pezeshkian often visited the front lines. He helped organize medical teams and worked as both a fighter and a doctor. He completed his training as a general practitioner in 1985. He then began teaching physiology at the 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 joined Mohammad Khatami's government as Deputy Health Minister. He served as Iran's Health Minister from 2001 to 2005. After that, he was elected to the Iranian parliament five times. He represented Tabriz, Osku and Azarshahr from 2008 to 2024. He was also the first deputy speaker of the parliament from 2016 to 2020.
Pezeshkian supported teaching Turkic languages in Iran. In 2016, he became the head of the "Fraction of Turkic regions" in the parliament. This group was formed to support the right to education in Turkic languages. It was the first time such a group with an ethnic name was established in Iran's parliament.
Presidency (2024–present)
On 6 July 2024, Pezeshkian was elected President. He won the election with 16.3 million votes (53.7%). He was officially appointed president by Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, on 28 July 2024. He took his oath in front of the Iranian parliament on 30 July.
After becoming president, Pezeshkian kept Mohammad Eslami as Vice President. He also appointed several experienced officials to his team. These included Mohammad Reza Aref and Mohammad Javad Zarif. He also appointed Zahra Behrouz Azar as Vice President for Women and Family Affairs. She is known for her views on women's rights.
In August 2024, Pezeshkian announced the names of his 19 chosen ministers. The parliament approved all of them on 21 August. This was the first time since 2001 that an entire cabinet was approved at once. His cabinet included Farzaneh Sadegh, who became the second woman minister in Iran since the 1979 revolution. It also included Abbas Araghchi, who helped negotiate the 2015 nuclear deal.
Pezeshkian's first international trip as President was to Iraq in September 2024. He also met with leaders in Iraqi Kurdistan.
In October 2024, Iran launched missiles against Israel. Pezeshkian stated these strikes were a response to certain actions. He warned against further conflict.
2025 Iran–Israel War
On 13 June 2025, Israel launched airstrikes against Iran. This marked the start of the Iran–Israel war. In response, Pezeshkian stopped Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. An Iranian official stated that Pezeshkian was lightly injured in an airstrike on 15 June. Pezeshkian later accused Israel of trying to assassinate him during the conflict.
Views
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Pezeshkian supports the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He has said that the IRGC is important for Iran's unity. He criticized the decision by the United States to call the IRGC a terrorist organization in 2019. In June 2024, he wore an IRGC uniform at a university meeting. He said he would wear it again because the IRGC helps keep the country together.
Anti-Government Protests
Pezeshkian has sometimes criticized how the Iranian system handles protests. During the 2009 protests, he spoke out against how protesters were treated. He said people should not be treated "like a wild animal."
He also believed Iran's way of managing the 2018 protests was wrong. After the 2022 protests, Pezeshkian asked for a team to investigate the death of Mahsa Amini. He said that dealing with protesters and their trials should follow the constitution. However, he later condemned the protests, saying they were not good for the people.
Foreign Policy
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Pezeshkian has supported restarting talks with the United States about Iran's nuclear program of Iran. He wants to revive the 2015 agreement to lift international sanctions.
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 Palestinians in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Pezeshkian has accused Israel of committing actions against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
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 for any talks with the United States and its allies.
Ethnic Views and Women Affairs
Pezeshkian cares about the rights of different ethnic groups in Iran. These include Azeris, Kurds, and Baluchis. He believes their rights should be protected. He supports Article 15 of the Iranian Constitution. This article says that local languages can be used in media and taught in schools alongside Persian. He thinks 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 Sunni politician as Vice President for Rural Development. Many women have also been appointed as governors across the country.
Personal Life
Pezeshkian's wife was a gynecologist. She and their youngest son died in a car crash in 1994. He raised his two remaining sons and daughter by himself and has not remarried. His daughter, Zahra, has a master's degree in chemistry. She is also considered a political adviser.
Pezeshkian teaches about the Quran. He also recites from the Nahj al-balagha, an important text for Shia Muslims.
Besides Persian, Pezeshkian speaks Azerbaijani, Kurdish, Arabic and English.
Pezeshkian is a fan of Tractor S.C., a football club.
Images for kids
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Masoud Pezeshkian's signature
See also
In Spanish: Masoud Pezeshkian para niños
