Hassan Rouhani

Hassan Rouhani - 7th President of Iran, Career and Personal Life

Violet FieldHome › IranianHassan RouhaniNovember 12, 1948448 views

0 based on 0 rates
Hassan Rouhani Biography Stories 

Hassan Rouhani's Personal Details

Hassan Rouhani is one of Iran’s seasoned politicians and the seventh President of Iran

InformationDetail
BirthdayNovember 12, 1948
NationalityIranian
FamousLeaders, Political Leaders, Presidents, 7th President of Iran
SpousesSahebeh Rouhani
SiblingsHossein Feridon, طاهره فریدون, طوبی فریدون, فاطمه فریدون
Known asHassan Fereydoun
Universities
  • 1972 - University of Tehran
  • 1995 - Glasgow Caledonian University
  • 1978 - Qom Seminary
  • 1999 - Glasgow Caledonian University
Birth PlaceSorkheh, Semnan Province, Iran
ReligionShia Islam
Height168
GenderMale
FatherHaj Asadollah Feridon
MotherSakineh Peivandi
Net Worth$0.5 Million as of May 26,2017
Sun SignScorpio
Born inSorkheh, Semnan Province, Iran
Famous as7th President of Iran

Hassan Rouhani's photo

Who is Hassan Rouhani?

Hassan Rouhani is one of Iran’s seasoned politicians and a Muslim clergyman who is the seventh President of Iran. He held several prominent government positions after the Iranian Revolution. He served as the Deputy Speaker of the ‘Majlis’ (Parliament) of Iran in its fourth and fifth terms. He is a member of the ‘Supreme National Security Council’, the ‘Expediency Council’ and the ‘Assembly of Experts’ of Iran. As a Secretary of the ‘Supreme National Security Council’ he played an instrumental role as one of the prominent negotiators of Iran, on issues of nuclear technology, with Germany, France and the UK. He is a proponent of preservation of rights of religious minorities and other racial groups. Considered a Moderationist and a reformer, Hassan Rouhani has revived diplomatic association of Iran with other nations through conciliatory letter exchanges. His regime as President witnessed induction of women as Vice President and foreign ministry spokesperson of Iran, thus encouraging women empowerment. He also fosters individualistic liberty and right to information. Apart from government positions, he has held several academic posts as well. He was charted at number nine in the ‘Time’ magazine list of ‘Most Influential People in the World’ in 2013.

// Famous Political Leaders

Edi Rama

Edi Rama

Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Leo Varadkar

Leo Varadkar

Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.

Childhood & Early Life

He was born on November 12, 1948 as Hassan Fereydoun in Sorkheh in the Semnan Province, Iran, to Haj Asadollah Feridon and Sakineh Peivandi. He later altered his last name as Rouhani meaning community of clerics.

His father ran a business of spices in Sorkheh and politically opposed the Shah of Iran and faced several arrests ahead of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

His religious studies began in 1960 when he joined the ‘Semnan Seminary’.

In 1961 he joined the ‘Qom Seminary’. He was under the guidance of many noted Shia scholars including Mohammad Fazel Lankarani, Mohammad Mohaghegh Damad and Mohammad-Reza Golpaygani.

He travelled around the nation after 1965 and was outspoken in his views against the Shah and advocated for cleric Ruhollah Khomeini who was in exile. He faced several arrests and was debarred from giving public speeches.

In 1969 he enrolled at the ‘University of Tehran’ and in 1972 he earned a bachelor’s degree in Judicial Law.

Career

In 1973 he joined military service in Nishapur.

In 1977 he had to flee from Iran. He went to Paris and after joining Ruhollah Khomeini he interacted with Iranian students groups around Europe.

He returned to Iran along with Ruhollah Khomeini post the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and joined hands in rebuilding the government and organizing the army and military bases.

In 1980 he became an elected member of the ‘Majlis’ (Parliament) of Iran. For the next two decades he held different positions in the ‘Majlis’. For the first two terms he remained the chief of the committee of Defense. In the fourth and fifth terms he served as the Deputy Speaker as well as the chief of the foreign policy committee.

From 1980-83 he headed the supervisory council of ‘Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting’.

He held various positions at the time of the Iran-Iraq war. He was a ‘Supreme Defense Council’ member from 1982 to 1988. In 1983-85 he served as deputy commander of the war, from 1985 to 1988 he was the commander of the Khatam-ol-Anbiya Operation Center and during 1986-91 he was the commander of the Iran Air Defense Force. In1988-89, he remained Deputy to Second-in-Command of Joint Chiefs of Staff of Iran.

From 1986 to 1988 he remained a member of the ‘High Council for Supporting War’ and led the ‘Executive Committee’ of the Council.

The ‘Iran-Contra affair’ that involved selling arms to Iran, saw Robert C. McFarlane, ‘National Security Advisor’ of the then American President Ronald Reagan visiting Tehran in May 1986. Rouhani was among the three Iranians to participate in discussions with McFarlane.

His contributions during the Iran-Iraq war were well recognised and he was awarded with the second grade ‘Fath Medal’ and the first grade ‘Nasr Medal’.

In 1989 he became the first secretary of the ‘Supreme National Security Council’ and held the position till 2005. As a Secretary of the ‘Supreme National Security Council’ he played an instrumental role from October 6, 2003 till August 15, 2005 as one of the prominent negotiators of Iran, on issues of nuclear technology, with Germany, France and the UK. The negotiations were held in Tehran, Paris, Geneva and Brussels.

From 1989 until 1997 he served as the ‘National Security Advisor’ to President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Since 1991 he runs the ‘Center for Strategic Research’ and serves as its research professor. He has written several books and articles in Arabic, Persian and English language.

He has remained a member of the ‘Expediency Council’ since 1991 and serves as the chief of the Political, Defense, and Security Committee of the Council.

After about two decades he returned to his academic studies and earned an M.Phil. in Law in 1995 from the ‘Glasgow Caledonian University’ in Scotland submitting his thesis ‘‘The Islamic legislative power with reference to the Iranian experience’’.

He remained a member of the board of trustees of the Tehran Universities and North Region from 1995 to 1999.

In 1999 he earned a Ph.D. in ‘Constitutional Law’ from the ‘Glasgow Caledonian University’ in Scotland submitting his thesis "The Flexibility of Shariah (Islamic Law) with reference to the Iranian experience".

He became an elected member of the ‘Assembly of Experts’ representing Semnan Province during its midterm elections held on February 18, 2000. Again in 2006 he was elected member of the ‘Assembly of Experts’ this time representing Tehran Province, a position he still holds.

From 2000 to 2005 he served as the ‘National Security Advisor’ to President Khatami.

Hassan Rouhani contested and won the presidential election held in June 2013. On August 4, 2013 he was sworn in at the ‘House of Parliament’ as the seventh president of the country. He inducted Eshaq Jahangiri as the vice president.

He is a proponent of rights of women and his regime has witnessed induction of three women vice presidents namely Shahindokht Molaverdi, Masoumeh Ebtekar and Elham Aminzadeh. Marzieh Afkham remains the first foreign ministry spokesperson of Iran under his government. He is also committed to establish a ministry for women.

On the economic front he focuses on controlling inflation, curbing high unemployment and enhancing purchasing power.

He has made effort to revive diplomatic association of Iran with other nations and in this endeavour sent conciliatory letters to heads of six countries including the US President.

Following his meeting with the British Prime Minister David Cameron, the two nations accorded to resume diplomatic ties. While the ‘Iranian Embassy’ in London’ was restored in February 20, 2014, it was officially reopened on August 23, 2015.

He visited New York, US in September 2013 and had a one on one telephonic conversation with the US President Barack Obama on September 27, 2013. It was the first conversation of politicians of the highest-level between the two nations since 1979.

His government signed many agreements with Iraq and was the first to extend support after the ‘Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL) and associated forces initiated the ‘Northern Iraq offensive’ against Iraq government. Iran played a prominent role during the military intrusion to combat the ISIL.

He serves as managing editor of ‘Foreign Relations’, ‘Iranian Review of Foreign Affairs’ and ‘Rahbord’, the three quarterlies that are published in both English and Persian language.

Personal Life & Legacy

He is married to Sahebeh Arabi, his cousin and the couple have three children.

His brother Hossein Fereydoun is also a politician and has held different positions including the governor of Karaj and Vice Minister of Intelligence.

// Famous Leaders

Edi Rama

Edi Rama

Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Tecumseh

Tecumseh

Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the Shawnee clan. This biography profiles his childhood, life and timeline.

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Hassan Rouhani biography timelines

  • // 12th Nov 1948
    He was born on November 12, 1948 as Hassan Fereydoun in Sorkheh in the Semnan Province, Iran, to Haj Asadollah Feridon and Sakineh Peivandi. He later altered his last name as Rouhani meaning community of clerics.
  • // 1960
    His religious studies began in 1960 when he joined the ‘Semnan Seminary’.
  • // 1961
    In 1961 he joined the ‘Qom Seminary’. He was under the guidance of many noted Shia scholars including Mohammad Fazel Lankarani, Mohammad Mohaghegh Damad and Mohammad-Reza Golpaygani.
  • // 1965
    He travelled around the nation after 1965 and was outspoken in his views against the Shah and advocated for cleric Ruhollah Khomeini who was in exile. He faced several arrests and was debarred from giving public speeches.
  • // 1969 To 1972
    In 1969 he enrolled at the ‘University of Tehran’ and in 1972 he earned a bachelor’s degree in Judicial Law.
  • // 1973
    In 1973 he joined military service in Nishapur.
  • // 1977
    In 1977 he had to flee from Iran. He went to Paris and after joining Ruhollah Khomeini he interacted with Iranian students groups around Europe.
  • // 1979
    His father ran a business of spices in Sorkheh and politically opposed the Shah of Iran and faced several arrests ahead of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
  • // 1979
    He returned to Iran along with Ruhollah Khomeini post the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and joined hands in rebuilding the government and organizing the army and military bases.
  • // 1980
    In 1980 he became an elected member of the ‘Majlis’ (Parliament) of Iran. For the next two decades he held different positions in the ‘Majlis’. For the first two terms he remained the chief of the committee of Defense. In the fourth and fifth terms he served as the Deputy Speaker as well as the chief of the foreign policy committee.
  • // 1980 To 1983
    From 1980-83 he headed the supervisory council of ‘Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting’.
  • // 1986 To 1988
    From 1986 to 1988 he remained a member of the ‘High Council for Supporting War’ and led the ‘Executive Committee’ of the Council.
  • // May 1986
    The ‘Iran-Contra affair’ that involved selling arms to Iran, saw Robert C. McFarlane, ‘National Security Advisor’ of the then American President Ronald Reagan visiting Tehran in May 1986. Rouhani was among the three Iranians to participate in discussions with McFarlane.
  • // 1989 To 1997
    From 1989 until 1997 he served as the ‘National Security Advisor’ to President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
  • // 1991
    Since 1991 he runs the ‘Center for Strategic Research’ and serves as its research professor. He has written several books and articles in Arabic, Persian and English language.
  • // 1991
    He has remained a member of the ‘Expediency Council’ since 1991 and serves as the chief of the Political, Defense, and Security Committee of the Council.
  • // 1995
    After about two decades he returned to his academic studies and earned an M.Phil. in Law in 1995 from the ‘Glasgow Caledonian University’ in Scotland submitting his thesis ‘‘The Islamic legislative power with reference to the Iranian experience’’.
  • // 1995 To 1999
    He remained a member of the board of trustees of the Tehran Universities and North Region from 1995 to 1999.
  • // 1999
    In 1999 he earned a Ph.D. in ‘Constitutional Law’ from the ‘Glasgow Caledonian University’ in Scotland submitting his thesis "The Flexibility of Shariah (Islamic Law) with reference to the Iranian experience".
  • // 2000 To 2005
    From 2000 to 2005 he served as the ‘National Security Advisor’ to President Khatami.
  • // 18th Feb 2000 To 2006
    He became an elected member of the ‘Assembly of Experts’ representing Semnan Province during its midterm elections held on February 18, 2000. Again in 2006 he was elected member of the ‘Assembly of Experts’ this time representing Tehran Province, a position he still holds.
  • // 4th Aug 2013
    Hassan Rouhani contested and won the presidential election held in June 2013. On August 4, 2013 he was sworn in at the ‘House of Parliament’ as the seventh president of the country. He inducted Eshaq Jahangiri as the vice president.
  • // 20th Feb 2014 To 23rd Aug 2015
    Following his meeting with the British Prime Minister David Cameron, the two nations accorded to resume diplomatic ties. While the ‘Iranian Embassy’ in London’ was restored in February 20, 2014, it was officially reopened on August 23, 2015.

// Famous Presidents

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Anwar Sadat

Anwar Sadat

Anwar Sadat was the third President of Egypt and has been awarded the Nobel Prize for his peace initiatives. To know more about his childhood, career, profile and timeline read on the following biography.

Idi Amin

Idi Amin

A Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin is remembered for his brutal regime and crime against humanity. Check this biography to know in details about his life, childhood, profile and timeline.

Simon Bolivar

Simon Bolivar

Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military leader who was instrumental in independence of several Latin American countries from the Spanish rule. This biography profiles his childhood, life, achievements and timeline.

Otto von Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck served as the Chancellor of Germany and the Prime Minister of Prussia. He unified the German states into a powerful German empire. This biography profiles his childhood, political career, life, achievements and timeline.

Sali Berisha

Sali Berisha

Sali Berisha is an Albanian politician who served as the President and the Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Hassan Rouhani's FAQ

  • What is Hassan Rouhani birthday?

    Hassan Rouhani was born at 1948-11-12

  • Where is Hassan Rouhani's birth place?

    Hassan Rouhani was born in Sorkheh, Semnan Province, Iran

  • What is Hassan Rouhani nationalities?

    Hassan Rouhani's nationalities is Iranian

  • Who is Hassan Rouhani spouses?

    Hassan Rouhani's spouses is Sahebeh Rouhani

  • Who is Hassan Rouhani siblings?

    Hassan Rouhani's siblings is Hossein Feridon, طاهره فریدون, طوبی فریدون, فاطمه فریدون

  • What was Hassan Rouhani universities?

    Hassan Rouhani studied at 1972 - University of Tehran, 1995 - Glasgow Caledonian University, 1978 - Qom Seminary, 1999 - Glasgow Caledonian University

  • What is Hassan Rouhani's religion?

    Hassan Rouhani's religion is Shia Islam

  • How tall is Hassan Rouhani?

    Hassan Rouhani's height is 168

  • Who is Hassan Rouhani's father?

    Hassan Rouhani's father is Haj Asadollah Feridon

  • Who is Hassan Rouhani's mother?

    Hassan Rouhani's mother is Sakineh Peivandi

  • What is Hassan Rouhani's sun sign?

    Hassan Rouhani is Scorpio

  • How famous is Hassan Rouhani?

    Hassan Rouhani is famouse as 7th President of Iran