Mir-Hossein Mousavi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mir-Hossein Mousavi
میرحسین موسوی
Mir-Hossein in 2009
45th Prime Minister of Iran
In office 29 October 1981 – 16 August 1989
President	Ali Khamenei
Preceded by	Mohammad-Reza Mahdavi Kani
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 5 July 1981 – 15 December 1981
Prime Minister	Mohammad-Ali Rajai Mohammad-Javad Bahonar Reza Mahdavi Kani (acting) Himself
Preceded by	Mohammad-Ali Rajai (acting)
Succeeded by	Ali Akbar Velayati
Head of Mostazafan Foundation
In office 4 December 1981 – 6 September 1989
Appointed by	Ruhollah Khomeini
Preceded by	Mohammad-Ali Rajai
Succeeded by	Mohsen Rafighdoost
Senior Advisor to the President of Iran
In office 12 October 1997 – 3 August 2005
President	Mohammad Khatami
Succeeded by	Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi
Acting ministerial offices Minister of Defense Acting In office 20 August 1984 – 21 October 1984 Prime Minister Himself Preceded by Mohammad Salimi Succeeded by Mohammad-Reza Rahimi (acting) Minister of Mines and Metals Acting In office 28 August 1983 – 7 December 1983 Prime Minister Himself Preceded by Hossein Mousaviani Succeeded by Hossein Nili Minister of Agriculture Acting In office 28 August 1983 – 7 December 1983 Prime Minister Himself Preceded by Mohammad Salamati Succeeded by Abbas-Ali Zali Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Acting In office 26 July 1982 – 9 November 1982 Prime Minister Himself Preceded by Majid Moaedikhah Succeeded by Mohammad Khatami Minister of Education Acting In office 20 August 1984 – 21 October 1984 Prime Minister Himself Preceded by Ali Akbar Parvaresh Succeeded by Kazem Akrami Minister of House and Urban Development Acting In office 28 August 1983 – 15 August 1984 Prime Minister Himself Preceded by Mohammad Shahab Gonabadi Succeeded by Serajeddin Kazerouni
Personal details
Born	Mir-Hossein Mousavi Khameneh (1942-03-02) 2 March 1942 (age 83) Khameneh, Imperial State of Iran
Political party	The Green Path of Hope (2009–present)
Other political affiliations	Islamic Republican Party (1979–1987) Movement of Militant Muslims (1977–1979)
Spouse	Zahra Rahnavard ​ (m. 1969)​
Children	3
Relatives	Hossein Sharifzadegan (brother-in-law)
Residences	Tehran, Iran
Alma mater	National University of Tehran
Occupation	Architect, educator
Awards	Excellent Order of Independence
Signature
Website	kaleme.org

Mir-Hossein Mousavi Khameneh (Persian: میرحسین موسوی خامنه, romanized: Mīr-Hoseyn Mūsavī Khāmené; born 2 March 1942) is an Iranian politician, artist, and architect. He was the 45th and last Prime Minister of Iran from 1981 to 1989.

In 2009, he ran for president and became a leader of the opposition after the election. He was the president of the Iranian Academy of Arts until 2009. Mousavi sees himself as a reformist, meaning he believes in making changes within Iran's laws. In 2023, he spoke out against the current government and asked for a public vote to change Iran's political system.

Before becoming Prime Minister, Mousavi was the editor of Jomhouri-e Eslami, a major newspaper. He also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs. After his time as Prime Minister, he mostly stayed out of politics for 20 years. He is still a member of important councils but has not attended meetings for many years. This is seen as a sign that he does not agree with the government.

In 2009, Mousavi ran for president again. He was one of two candidates who wanted to bring reforms. Official results showed he lost the election. However, many people believed the election results were unfair. This led to large protests and a movement against the government. Mousavi is still seen as a leader of the Green Movement. He is currently under house arrest with his wife, Zahra Rahnavard, and another politician, Mehdi Karroubi.

Early Life and Education

Seyyed Mir-Hossein Mousavi was born on 2 March 1942 in Khameneh, East Azerbaijan, Iran. His family came from Tabriz. His father was a tea merchant. Mousavi grew up in Khameneh and moved to Tehran in 1958 after high school. He is related to Ali Khamenei, the current leader of Iran.

Mousavi with Mostafa Chamran in the 1970s

He studied architecture at the National University of Tehran. In 1969, he earned his master's degree, focusing on traditional Iranian architecture. As a student, he was active in a student group called the Islamic association. He was also close to the Freedom Movement of Iran, a political party. Many future Iranian leaders were part of this group and became Mousavi's friends. Mousavi also showed his art under the name Hossein Rah'jo.

In 1969, Mousavi married Zahra Rahnavard. She was also a university student and an artist. Rahnavard later became the head of Alzahra University and an advisor to former President Mohammad Khatami. They have three daughters. Their daughters speak Azeri, Persian, English, and Arabic.

Role in the Iranian Revolution

Mousavi (first from right, sitting) as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of President Mohammad-Ali Rajai and Prime Minister Mohammad Javad Bahonar in 1981

Mousavi and his wife played an important part in the Iranian Revolution. He was even put in prison for organizing protests against the Shah's rule. As the revolution grew, Mousavi became more involved. He helped create a group called the Movement of Militant Muslims. Later, he joined forces with Mohammad Beheshti, a close friend of the revolution's leader, Ruhollah Khomeini.

After the Shah's government fell in 1979, Mousavi helped found the Islamic Republican Party. This party aimed to set up the Islamic republic in Iran. Mousavi became the party's political secretary and the chief editor of its newspaper, Jomhouri-e Eslami. Because of his work, some people call him "The Architect" of the Islamic Republic.

In 1979, Khomeini appointed him to the Council of the Islamic Revolution. As editor of Jomhouri-e Eslami, he often criticized Abolhassan Banisadr, Iran's first president. In 1981, Banisadr was removed from office. In August 1981, Mousavi became the foreign minister. He held this job until December 1981, when he was given the higher role of Prime Minister.

Prime Minister of Iran

Mousavi (right) with then-President Ali Khamenei (left)

In August 1981, President Mohammad-Ali Rajai and Prime Minister Mohammad-Javad Bahonar were killed in an explosion. Ali Khamenei then became the third President of Iran. He wanted Ali Akbar Velayati to be his prime minister. However, the Iranian parliament did not approve Velayati.

As a compromise, Khamenei agreed to suggest Mousavi for the job. On 28 October 1981, with Khomeini's approval, parliament chose Mousavi. He became the 79th prime minister of Iran on 31 October 1981.

Mousavi and Ali Khamenei often had disagreements during their eight years in power. Mousavi was part of the left wing of the Islamic Republic, while Khamenei was part of the right wing. Their disagreements grew, and Mousavi resigned after the Iran–Iraq War ended in 1988. However, Ruhollah Khomeini, the supreme leader, did not accept his resignation.

Mousavi and Abbas Mirza Abutalebi during the Iran–Iraq War

Mousavi with Mohammad Khatami, then Culture Minister, and the next President in 1985

Mousavi's time as Prime Minister happened during the Iran–Iraq War. He helped lead the country through the war. He was praised for managing the country's economy during this difficult time. He created a system where goods were distributed fairly among people during the war. Many people believe he handled Iran's economy well. He also worked to reduce Iran's isolation from other countries. In 1986, Mousavi was involved in secret talks with the USA. These talks aimed to free American hostages in Lebanon in exchange for weapons that Iran needed for the war.

A year after the Iran–Iraq War ended in 1988, Ruhollah Khomeini passed away in June 1989. Ali Khamenei was then chosen as the new Supreme Leader of Iran. After Khomeini's death, Mousavi lost his main supporter in the government.

In July 1989, Iran's laws were changed. One of these changes removed the position of Prime Minister. Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was elected as the fourth president of Iran. Mousavi's time as Prime Minister ended on 3 August 1989. He was not part of the new government and mostly disappeared from public view.

Life After Politics

The Hafte Tir bombing victims' mausoleum, which was designed by Mousavi

After Khomeini died in 1989, Mousavi was no longer active in the government. For 20 years, he was mostly out of public life. Many saw this as a sign that he did not agree with the government. However, he did remain a member of two important government councils.

In 1989, Ali Khamenei made him a member of the Expediency Discernment Council. He is still a member of this council. Mousavi has also been a member of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution since 1996. He also advised President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (1989–1997) and President Khatami (1997–2005).

During these years, he focused on architecture and teaching. He became the President of the Iranian Academy of Arts. He designed the main building of the Academy. He also developed his love for painting and writing poetry. He taught at Shahid Beheshti University and later at Tarbiat Modares University. His architectural works include Kanoon-e Tohid in Tehran and the Haft-e-tir Martyr's tomb. In recent years, he has painted more and shown his art in many exhibitions.

Presidential Candidacy

Before 2009

Mousavi chose not to run for president in the 1997 elections. This led to Mohammad Khatami, a less known cleric, becoming the reformist candidate. Khatami won the election by a large margin. During Khatami's time as president, Mousavi was a Senior Advisor.

Mousavi was considered a top candidate for the 2005 Iranian presidential election. However, in October 2004, he decided not to run after meeting with President Mohammad Khatami and other reformist leaders.

2009 Presidential Election

Mousavi supporters in Tehran

After 20 years of being out of politics, Mousavi announced on 9 March 2009 that he would run in the 2009 Iranian presidential election. He said his main goals were to create social fairness, freedom of speech, stop corruption, and speed up Iran's economy. He criticized the then-president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, for his economic policies. On 16 March 2009, former President Khatami withdrew from the election to support Mousavi.

Mousavi's Platform

Mousavi ran as an independent candidate who supported reforms. He helped start the reformist movement in Iran. Many reformist groups supported him after Khatami stepped down. Mousavi said he welcomed support from both reformist and conservative groups. His candidacy made it harder for conservatives to fully support Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Domestic Policies

Mousavi speaking in Zanjan during his presidential campaign

Mousavi often said he wanted to change the constitution. He wanted to allow private television stations, which are currently owned by the state. He also wanted the president to control law enforcement. He believed that not following rules was Iran's biggest problem. He wanted to make sure laws were followed and that people were informed about government matters. He also wanted to create private TV networks and stop the "Moral Police".

The BBC reported that Mousavi called for more personal freedoms in Iran. He also criticized the ban on private TV channels. However, he supported Iran's nuclear program, saying it was for peaceful uses. He believed that giving up the nuclear program would be a big mistake. He said that if elected, he would work to ensure Iran's nuclear activities were always peaceful.

On 30 May, Mousavi promised to change unfair rules against women if he became president. He wanted to ensure women were treated equally. He also wanted to disband the morality police force. He aimed for women to have financial power and serve in high-level positions.

Foreign Policies

Mousavi wanted to improve Iran's relationships with other countries to benefit the nation. He said he would talk with U.S. President Barack Obama if Obama's actions matched his words. He also spoke out against Ahmadinejad's views on The Holocaust, saying it was not a myth. He condemned the killing of Jews in the Holocaust.

Protests After the Election

The election took place on 12 June 2009. Official results showed Ahmadinejad won by a large margin. However, Mousavi and many others believed the results were fake. They thought the Interior Minister, who was an ally of Ahmadinejad, changed the votes. Mousavi claimed he won and asked his supporters to celebrate. This led to large protests.

Because of the protests, the Supreme Leader ordered a partial recount of the votes. A council showed the recount on television. They said that Ahmadinejad still led Mousavi after the recount. After this, the Guardian Council approved the election results. They said there was no proof of problems and closed the case.

The Green Movement Begins

Mousavi at the protests of 2009

The Iranian Green Movement refers to protests after the 2009 Iranian presidential election. Protesters wanted Mahmoud Ahmadinejad removed from office.

Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi, Hossein-Ali Montazeri, and Mohammad Khatami are seen as leaders of the Green Movement. "Where is my vote?" (Persian: رای من کجاست؟) was a popular slogan during the protests. Protesters chanted this phrase in large numbers. The Iranian government said Ahmadinejad won by a two-thirds majority. However, Mousavi and Karroubi's supporters accused the government of rigging the vote.

After the election, Ahmadinejad called the opposition "a pile of dust." This made the protests even bigger. Huge peaceful protests happened across the country. The government tried to stop gatherings, slowed down the internet, and censored media. Despite this, hundreds of thousands of Iranians marched. Many protesters were arrested, and some were killed by police and militia forces.

Since the election, the government has made it very hard for foreign and Iranian media to show information about the opposition. So, people filmed the large street protests and student protests themselves.

The Green Path of Hope

Mousavi and other reformist leaders are now working to spread their ideas peacefully. They have formed a new group called The Green Path of Hope. Political groups in Iran need permission from the Interior Ministry. Mousavi does not recognize the current government as legitimate, so he is unlikely to get permission. The movement was called a "path" to avoid this law.

Officials say the movement includes many political parties, non-profit groups, and social networks. The "Green Path" has six main members on its central council. The main part of the movement will be ordinary protesters. The plan is to connect different issues in society through a social network. This way, they can lead protests in a lawful manner.

Arab Spring

After the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, Green Movement leaders in Iran called for protests on 14 February 2011. The government responded by putting the leaders under house arrest. On 14 February, Iranian state TV showed about 50 conservative members of parliament chanting "Death to Mousavi, death to Karroubi."

House Arrest

Mousavi and his wife, along with Mehdi Karoubi, were put under house arrest. This happened after they asked their supporters to protest in support of uprisings in the Arab world in February 2011. On 2 February 2013, security forces arrested Mousavi's two daughters, Zahra and Nargess Mousavi, at their home. They were questioned and then released the same day.

After Hassan Rouhani was elected President in 2013, it was announced that Mousavi and Rahnavard would soon be freed. However, as of 2021^[update], he was still under house arrest.

In 2019, Mousavi was allowed to leave his home once a week. His immediate family could also visit him anytime. They were also given permission to use a mobile phone and satellite television.

Political and Academic Posts

• Member of Central Campaign of Islamic Republican Party (1979–1981)
• Head of Political Office of Islamic Republican Party (1980–1981)
• Editor-in-chief of Islamic Republican (1981)
• Minister of Foreign Affairs (1981)
• President of Council of Cultural Revolution (1981)
• Prime Minister of Iran (1981–1989)
• President of Mostazafen Foundation of Islamic Revolution (1981–1989)
• President of Economy Council (1982–1989)
• Political adviser of president Hashemi Rafsanjani (1989–1997)
• Senior adviser of President Khatami (1997–2005)
• Member of Expediency Discernment Council (1989–2012)
• Member of Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution (1996–2012)
• President of Iranian Academy of Arts (2000–2009)
• Leader of Green Movement and The Green Path of Hope (2009– )

See also

In Spanish: Mir-Hosein Musaví para niños

• Shia opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran

Images for kids

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  Mousavi with Mostafa Chamran in the 1970s

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  Mousavi (first from right, sitting) as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of President Mohammad-Ali Rajai and Prime Minister Mohammad Javad Bahonar in 1981

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  Mousavi (right) with then-President Ali Khamenei (left)

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  Mousavi and Abbas Mirza Abutalebi during the Iran–Iraq War

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  Mousavi with Mohammad Khatami, then Culture Minister, and the next President in 1985

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  The Hafte Tir bombing victims' mausoleum, which was designed by Mousavi

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  Mousavi supporters in Tehran

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  Mousavi speaking in Zanjan during his presidential campaign

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  Mousavi at the protests of 2009