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Ata'ollah Mohajerani

2025-08-10T16:30:34Z

2A00:1D34:412:1001:6DAF:494D:7A88:6E4E:

{{Short description|Iranian politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix = [[Seyyed]]
|name = Ata'ollah Mohajerani
|honorific-suffix =
|native_name = {{No bold|عطاءالله مهاجرانی}}
|native_name_lang = fa
|image = Ataollah Mohajerani, 2012 (cropped).jpg
|imagesize =
|office = [[Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance|Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance]]
|term_start = 20 August 1997
|term_end = 14 December 2000
|president = [[Mohammad Khatami]]
|predecessor = [[Mostafa Mir-Salim]]
|successor = [[Ahmad Masjed-Jamei]]
|office2 = [[Vice President of Iran]] for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
|term_start2 = 1989
|term_end2 = 1997
|leader2 =
|president2 = [[Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]]
|primeminister2 =
|successor2 = [[Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari]]
|office3 = Deputy [[Prime Minister of Iran]] for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
|term_start3 = 1985
|term_end3 = 1989
|primeminister3 = [[Mir-Hossein Mousavi]]
| office4= [[Parliament of Iran|Member of the Parliament of Iran]]
| term_start4 = 28 May 1980
| term_end4 = 28 May 1984
| constituency4 = [[Shiraz (electoral district)|Shiraz]]
| majority4 = 122,678 (79.8%)<ref>{{cite web|title=Parliament members|url=http://rc.majlis.ir/fa/parliament_member/show/762914|publisher=Iranian Majlis|accessdate=28 October 2014|language=Persian}}</ref>
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1954|07|24}}
|birth_place = [[Arak, Iran|Arak]], [[Markazi province]], [[Pahlavi Iran|Imperial State of Iran]]
|residence = [[London]], England<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/02/iran-fabricated-wikileaks-cable-smear-un-rights-rapporteur|title = Iran uses fabricated WikiLeaks cable to smear UN rights rapporteur| website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date = 2 August 2015}}</ref>
|alma_mater = [[University of Isfahan]] [[Shiraz University]] [[Tarbiat Modares University]]
|party = [[Executives of Construction Party]]
|children = 4
|spouse = [[Jamileh Kadivar]]
|website = {{URL|http://mohajerani.maktuob.net}}
}}
'''Ata'ollah Mohajerani''' ({{langx|fa|عطاءالله مهاجرانی}}, also [[Romanize]]d as '''Atā'ollāh Mohājerāni'''; born 24 July 1954) is an Iranian journalist, author, and [[Iranian reform movement|reformist]] [[politician]]. Mohajerani served as [[Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance|Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance]] of Iran under President [[Mohammad Khatami]] from 1997 until 2000 when he was fired from office for alleged "permissiveness".<ref name="Bellaiguep.5">Christopher de Bellaigue, ''The Struggle for Iran'', New York Review of Books, 2007, p. 5</ref> He is living as a UK citizen.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/salman-rushdie-and-a-question-of-power/ |title= Salman Rushdie and a question of power |publisher= The Spectator}}</ref>

==Education==
Mohajerani received his bachelor's degree in history from [[University of Isfahan]], his master's degree in history and Iranian culture from [[Shiraz University]] and his PhD in history from [[Tarbiat Modares University]].

==Career==
[[Image:Supreme Leader of Iran - visit Eleventh Tehran International Book Fair (7) (Cropped).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7| Mohajerani (first from right) as Minister of Culture with [[Ali Khamenei]] in [[Tehran International Book Fair]], 26 May 1998 ]]
Mohajerani's political career began in 1980 after the [[Iranian Revolution]], when he won the first round of the parliamentary elections to become a representative of [[Shiraz, Iran|Shiraz]] and the youngest member of the majlis.<ref name="pbs"/> Later, he became the Parliamentary Deputy to the Prime Minister [[Mir-Hossein Mousavi]], when he started to write the weekly column ''Naghd-e Haal'' in the [[Ettela'at newspaper]], and then Vice President of Parliamentary Affairs under [[Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]].<ref name="pbs">[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/10/mr-mohajerani-goes-to-washington.html Mohajerani goes to Washington] ''PBS'', Tara Mahtafar 20 October 2009</ref>

As minister of culture and Islamic guidance, he officially announced and pursued a policy of "leniency" ({{langx|fa|تساهل و تسامح}}) towards the field of culture and arts and removed many restrictions. He earned the wrath of conservatives by allowing hundreds of new publications to start up, the release of fifty-some Persian pop music albums, and the screening of the controversial movie [[Two Women (1999 film)|Two Women]].<ref name="Bellaiguep.7"/><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/iran-call-change | title= Iran: A Call for Change | publisher = The Washington Institute for Near East Policy }}</ref>

He survived [[impeachment]] by the 5th [[Majlis]] which was dominated by the conservatives in part with a "daring" speech defending the principle of freedom of speech in Islamic rather than Western terms.

{{blockquote| Why does the [[Quran]] carry the harshest criticism of [[Muhammad|the Prophet]]? ... It was not in the nature of the Prophet to stifle discussion of opposing points of view.<ref name="Bellaiguep.8">de Bellaigue, ''The Struggle for Iran'', 2007, p. 8</ref>}}

In April 2000, however, he resigned due to heavy criticisms by the Iranian [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Supreme Leader]], [[Ayatollah Khamenei]], because of his "liberal" policies. He also served as the speaker of the cabinet during that time. He later became the president of the Iranian International Centre for Dialogue among Civilizations,<ref>[http://www.dialoguecentre.org/ International Centre for Dialogue among Civilizations]</ref> but resigned from the post.<ref>{{cite journal|url= https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A200964785/AONE?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=095a9a39 | title= Ex-minister denies plans to return to Iran ahead of presidential election | journal= BBC Monitoring International Reports | date= June 2009 | publisher = Financial Times Ltd }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url= https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A84922155/AONE?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=d005954d | title= Iranian official discusses dialogue of civilizations with Syrian president | journal= BBC Monitoring International Reports | date= 19 January 2002 | publisher = Financial Times Ltd }}</ref>

He was a member and a founder of [[Executives of Construction Party]], which is considered a backer of [[Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]].

Mohajerani participated in the funeral and burial of former revolutionary Prime Minister [[Mehdi Bazargan]], when few Iranian officials dared doing so because of Bazargan's very unpopular status among the higher ranks of the [[Islamic Republic]] government.

===Works===
Of the books Mohajerani has written, most famous are a "learned critique" of the [[Salman Rushdie]] novel ''[[The Satanic Verses controversy|Satanic Verses]]'',<ref name="Bellaiguep.7">de Bellaigue, ''The Struggle for Iran'', 2007, p. 7</ref> a book in support of [[Ferdowsi]] (and against attacks by [[Ahmad Shamlou]]), and a book on [[Zaynab bint Ali]]'s role in and after [[Aashurah]].
His other publications/works include:
* ''Gray heaven/paradise'', 2007.
* {{Cite book |title= Haj Akhund |last= Mohajerani |first= Ata'ollah |authorlink= Ata'ollah Mohajerani |year= 2018 |publisher= |isbn= 978-9-649-57439-4 |pages= 282 |url= https://www.opars.com/p/21472/haj-akhund/ |accessdate= 2023-02-24}}
* {{cite journal |last1= Mohajerani |first1= Ata'ollah |last2= Khaniki |first2= Hadi |last3= Tabatabaii |first3= Sadegh |last4= Ameli |first4= Saeed Reza |date= 2003 |title= Dialogue (1) |url= https://www.magiran.com/paper/81259/?lang=en |journal= National Studies |volume= 3 |issue= 4 |page= 197 |issn= |access-date=2023-02-24}}
* {{cite journal |last1= Mohajerani |first1= Ata'ollah |last2= Khaniki |first2= Hadi |last3= Tabatabaii |first3= Sadegh |last4= Ameli |first4= Saeed Reza|last5= Ghaem |first5= Mahdi Montazer |date= 2003 |title= Dialogue (2) |url= https://www.magiran.com/paper/102082/?lang=en |journal= National Studies |volume= 4 |issue= 1 |page= 227 |issn= |access-date=2023-02-24}}

==Personal life==
Mohajerani is married to [[Jamileh Kadivar]], who is also a reformist politician and a former member of parliament.

Mohajerani left Iran and as of 2009 lives in England with his wife. They launched a website called ''www.maktoub.ir''.

Mohajerani is "a vocal supporter of the pro-democracy [[Iranian Green Movement|Green Movement]]," and opposes violence against the Iranian government saying "If we answer violence with violence, we are no different from them."<ref name="pbs"/>

== Advocating Khomeini's order to kill British author==
After [[Ruhollah Khomeini]] issued a [[fatwa]] ordering Muslims to kill [[Salman Rushdie]] because of his novel ''[[The Satanic Verses]]'', Mohajerani published a book called ''Critique of the Satanic Verses Conspiracy'' in 1989. Mohajarani quoted [[Satanic Verses controversy|Khomeini's fatwa]] at the beginning of his book and approved and justified the fatwa.
In 1995, Mohajerani wrote a short story gleefully satirising this British writer's fear of being attacked.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://iranwire.com/en/films/71492 | title=Video: Ataollah Mohajerani, the Fatwa Advocate in London }}</ref> Responding to Khomeini's Fatwa, on July 2, 1993, unknown assailants set fire to a hotel in the Turkish city of Sivas that was hosting a speech by [[Aziz Nesin]], a renowned humorist who had translated the book into [[Turkish language|Turkish]]. A total of 35 people plus two perpetrators were killed in the blaze, and 145 people were injured. Mohajirani insisted that the massacre was a proud moment in what he called the glorious Islamic reawakening and wrote that Khomeini's fatwa had worked like a vaccine preventing further criticism of the prophet of Islam.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK-29FK4Ajo | title=Exporting Terror. Part 3: The Fatwa Advocate in London | website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref> So far, no proper study has been conducted into the role of Mohajerani and his book in promoting this massacre of intellectuals, translators and publishers worldwide.<ref>{{cite journal|url= https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A86720614/AONE?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=7bd989f9 | title= Iranian official says Israel seeking to destroy Palestinian nation | journal= BBC Monitoring International Reports | date= 14 April 2002 | publisher = Financial Times Ltd }}</ref>

In January 2023, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that the [[Metropolitan Police]] was reviewing a legal dossier filed in August 2022 that accused Mohajerani of encouraging terrorism contrary to the [[Terrorism Act 2006]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/30/met-police-urged-to-prosecute-iranian-accused-of-backing-salman-rushdie-fatwa|title=Met police urged to prosecute Iranian accused of backing Rushdie fatwa|work=The Guardian|first=Patrick|last=Wintour|date=30 January 2023|accessdate=31 January 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://mohajerani.maktoub.ir/ Mohajerani's Persian weblog]
* [http://www.basma.us/site/community/bay_area_shia_centers.php#shia_center_iccnc Mohajerani at the ICCNC in Oakland, California]
* [https://www.kaiciid.org/es/publications-resources/dr-sayyed-ataollah-mohajerani-speaks-about-dialogue Video: Dr. Sayyed Ataollah Mohajerani speaks about Dialogue]
* [https://iranbahaipersecution.bic.org/archive/ataollah-mohajerani-arrested-bahais-are-associated-israel Ata'ollah Mohajerani - Archives for Baha’i Persecution in Iran]
* [https://iranwire.com/en/films/71492/ The Fatwa Advocate, Ata'ollah Mohajerani]
* [https://www.alamy.com/iranian-minister-of-islamic-guidance-ataollah-mohajerani-speaks-to-reporters-april-24-about-his-impending-impeachment-hearing-mohajerani-said-on-saturday-the-liberal-policies-he-and-president-mohammad-khatami-had-set-in-motion-would-prove-irreversible-even-if-he-were-hounded-from-office-mohajerani-is-accused-of-failing-to-uphold-islamic-values-km-image381983544.html Ataollah Mohajerani speaks to reporters April 24 about his impending impeachment hearing]
* [https://www.magiran.com/author/ata%E2%80%99ollah%20mohajerani Academic Articles by Ata'ollah Mohajerani]
* [https://en.majalla.com/author/ataollah-mohajerani Ata'ollah Mohajerani's Biography]

{{Ministers of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Iran}}
{{Khatami cabinet}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mohajerani, Ataollah}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Arak, Iran]]
[[Category:Shiraz University alumni]]
[[Category:Tarbiat Modares University alumni]]
[[Category:University of Isfahan alumni]]
[[Category:Executives of Construction Party politicians]]
[[Category:Iranian reformists]]
[[Category:Government ministers of Iran]]
[[Category:Vice presidents of Iran for legal and parliamentary affairs]]
[[Category:Spokespersons of the Government of Iran]]
[[Category:Iranian writers]]
[[Category:Iranian journalists]]
[[Category:Iranian emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Members of the 1st Islamic Consultative Assembly]]
[[Category:Impeached Iranian officials]]

Mohsen Mehralizadeh

2025-08-10T16:10:02Z

2A00:1D34:412:1001:6DAF:494D:7A88:6E4E:

{{Short description|Iranian reformist politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Mohsen Mehralizadeh
| native_name = {{No bold|محسن مهرعلیزاده}}
| native_name_lang = fa
| image = Mohsen Mehralizadeh 14000304000062637575086896818637.jpg
| imagesize = 220px
| smallimage =
| caption =
| office = [[Isfahan Province|Governor of Isfahan]]
| term_start = 29 October 2017
| term_end = 17 November 2018
| president = [[Hassan Rouhani]]
| predecessor = [[:fa:رسول زرگرپور|Rasoul Zargarpour]]
| successor = [[Abbas Rezayi]]
| office1 = [[Vice President of Iran]] [[Physical Education Organization|Head of Physical Education Organization]]
| term_start1 = 10 November 2001
| term_end1 = 26 September 2005
| president1 = [[Mohammad Khatami]]
| predecessor1 = [[Mostafa Hashemitaba]]
| successor1 = [[Mohammad Aliabadi]]
| office2 = [[Khorasan Province|Governor of Khorasan]]
| term_start2 = 1997
| term_end2 = 2001
| president2 = [[Mohammad Khatami]]
| predecessor2 = [[Abdollah Kupaei]]
| successor2 = [[Hassan Rasouli]]
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|09|30}}{{fact|date=September 2024}}
|birth_place = [[Maragheh]], [[East Azerbaijan Province]], Iran
|party =
|residence =
|alma_mater = [[University of Tabriz]]
|spouse = Ozra Labaf (died 2024)
|children = 3
|signature =
|signature_alt =
|website =
}}

'''Mohsen Mehralizadeh''' ({{langx|fa|محسن مهرعلیزاده}}; born September 30,{{fact|date=September 2024}} 1956) is an Iranian [[Iranian reformists|reformist]] politician and former governor of [[Isfahan Province]].
He was a [[vice president]] of [[Iran]] and the head of the [[National Sports Organization]] of Iran under [[Mohammad Khatami|President Khatami]]. He is an ethnic [[Azerbaijanis|Azerbaijani]].

Mehralizadeh was the governor of the [[Khorasan Province|Khorasan]] in Khatami's first term of presidency. He is a candidate for the [[2024 Iranian presidential election|Iranian 2024 presidential election]]. <ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-05-28 |title=Iran's presidential election: Who the candidates are |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57274703 |access-date=2024-06-24 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Presidential candidacy==

===2005 Iranian presidential election===
During the campaign for [[2005 Iranian presidential election|2005 presidential election]], Mehralizadeh announced his ambition for presidency on December 29 and said he was the candidate for the younger generation. He received some support from [[Majlis]] representatives of [[Guilan]], [[Iranian Azerbaijan|Azerbaijan]] and [[Khorasan Province|Khorasan]]. On May 22, 2005, the Guardian Council rejected Mehralizadeh and [[Mostafa Moeen]]'s candidacy, but the next day they approved both reformist candidates after the controversial letter of [[Ayatollah Khamenei]], the [[Supreme Leader of Iran]], who specifically asked for their approval.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iran reverses ban on reformist candidates |date=2005-05-24 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326042447/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/may/24/iran |archive-date=2023-03-26 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/may/24/iran}}</ref>

Mehralizadeh ranked last in the seven candidates running on June 17, 2005, securing about 1,300,000 votes (4.40%), a record number and percentage for a last finishing presidential candidate in Iran. He ranked first in the two provinces of the [[Iranian Azerbaijan]].

===2021 Iranian presidential election===
Mohsen Mehralizadeh registered as a presidential candidate for [[2021 Iranian presidential election|2021 presidential election]] in May 2021, and then subsequently was approved by [[Guardian Council]]. He was the only [[Reformist]] candidate among all other 6 candidates.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57274703|title=Iran's presidential election: Who the candidates are|work=BBC News|date=28 May 2021}}</ref> He did withdraw from the competition two days before final election date.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/reformist-mehralizadeh-quits-iranian-presidential-race-1.1617617|title = Reformist Mehralizadeh Quits Iranian Presidential Race - BNN Bloomberg|date = 16 June 2021}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Mohsen Mehralizadeh}}

{{Khatami cabinet}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mehralizadeh, Mohsen}}
[[Category:Candidates for President of Iran]]
[[Category:People from Maragheh]]
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:University of Tabriz alumni]]
[[Category:Governors of Razavi Khorasan province]]
[[Category:Iranian reformists]]
[[Category:Heads of Physical Education Organization]]

{{Iran-politician-stub}}

Nasser Moghaddam

2025-08-10T15:04:55Z

2A00:1D34:412:1001:6DAF:494D:7A88:6E4E:

{{Short description|Iranian military officer 1921–1979}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[Timsar]]
| name = Nasser Moghaddam
| honorific_suffix =
| native_name = {{No bold|{{Script/Nastaliq|ناصر مقدم}}}}
| native_name_lang = fa
| image = NasserMoghaddam.jpg
| image_upright =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| other_name =
| nickname =
| birth_date = 24 June 1921
| birth_place = [[Tehran]], [[Qajar Iran|Sublime State of Persia]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1979|04|11|1921|06|24|df=y}}
| death_place = Tehran, Iran
| placeofburial =
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial_coordinates = 
| allegiance =
| branch = [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces|Ground Forces]]
| serviceyears = 1941–1979
| rank = [[Lieutenant general]]
| unit =
| commands = [[Second Bureau of Imperial Iranian Army|Second Bureau]] [[SAVAK]]
| battles = {{tree list}}
* [[Second World War]]
** [[Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran]]
* [[Iran crisis of 1946]]
{{tree list/end}}
| awards =
| memorials =
| alma_mater = [[University of Tehran]]
| spouse = 
| children =
| relations =
| laterwork =
| signature =
| signature_size =
| signature_alt =
| website = 
| module =
| office = Director of [[SAVAK]]
| termstart = 7 June 1978
| termend = 12 February 1979 [[Leave of absence]]: 13 January 1979 – 11 February 1979
| primeminister = [[Jamshid Amouzegar]] [[Jafar Sharif-Emami]] [[Gholam Reza Azhari]] [[Shapour Bakhtiar]]
| monarch = [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]]
| predecessor = [[Nematollah Nassiri]]
| successor = ''position abolished''
| office2 = Deputy Prime Minister of Iran
| monarch2 = [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]]
| predecessor2 =
| termstart2 =
| termend2 =
| order =
| office3 = Director of the [[Second Bureau of Imperial Iranian Army|Second Bureau]]
| monarch3 = Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
| predecessor3 = [[Azizollah Palizban]]
| successor3 = Naser Qoli Boroumand Jezi
| office4 = [[SAVAK]] Director, Third General Directorate
| monarch4 = Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
| predecessor4 = [[Mustafa Amjadi]]
| successor4 = [[Parviz Sabeti]]
| termstart3 = April 1973
| termend3 = March 1978
| termstart4 = June 1963
| termend4 = April 13, 1973
| office5 = Acting Deputy director of SAVAK
| successor5 = [[Ali Motazed]]
| predecessor5 = [[Hossein Fardoust]]
| termstart5 = April 13, 1973
| termend5 = April 20, 1973
}}

[[Lieutenant general|Lieutenant General]] '''Nasser Moghaddam''' ({{langx|fa|ناصر مقدم}}; 24 June 1921 – 11 April 1979)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dowran.ir/show.php?id=58509758|title=ماهنامه الکترونیکی دوران، شماره 11   بهمن‌ماه 1385|website=dowran.ir}}</ref> was an Iranian military officer and intelligence chief who served as the fourth and final director of [[SAVAK]] from 6 June 1978 to 12 February 1979. He assumed the position after the arrest of General [[Nematollah Nassiri]] in 1978, following an order issued by the [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi|Shah]]. Moghaddam, along with Nassri and Nassiri's predecessor, [[Hassan Pakravan]], was found guilty of corruption and subsequently sentenced to death on 11 March 1979, in accordance with the order of [[Ruhollah Khomeini|Ayatollah Khomeini]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ebratmuseum.ir/Portal/Home/ShowPage.aspx?Object=NEWS&CategoryID=0b510734-9139-43ff-8386-bf67052cbb03&WebPartID=eed005a0-5ee1-4b3c-864c-2d7c5f5b212d&ID=05238d74-02b3-42f0-9af0-07550da5707d|title=Ebrat Museum/Lieutenant General Nasser Moqaddam|website=ebratmuseum.ir|access-date=24 August 2017|archive-date=24 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824094019/http://ebratmuseum.ir/Portal/Home/ShowPage.aspx?Object=NEWS&CategoryID=0b510734-9139-43ff-8386-bf67052cbb03&WebPartID=eed005a0-5ee1-4b3c-864c-2d7c5f5b212d&ID=05238d74-02b3-42f0-9af0-07550da5707d|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Early life==
Nasser Moghaddam was born in 1921 in Tehran, [[Qajar dynasty|Qajar Iran]]. He attended a military high school and later pursued a law degree at the Faculty of Tehran University.

Nasser lived with his father until the age of 10. From 1935 onwards, for unknown reasons, he resided with his uncle Hossein, who did not treat him kindly. Consequently, Nasser made the decision to return home.

In 1928, he enrolled in a primary school and in 1934, he joined the military school of Tehran, from which he graduated in 1940.{{Sfn|Habibollah Mehrjou|2013|p=13}}

In 1941, during the final year of [[Reza Shah]]'s reign, Nasser enlisted in the Officers' School, where he remained until 1943. He completed his studies at the officers' academy, attaining the rank of 2nd rank lieutenant, and decided to pursue further education at the Faculty of Law, [[University of Tehran]].

During his time at the Officers' School and the University of Tehran, Nasser not only acquired a solid foundation in military and security studies but also developed a proficient command of the French and English languages.{{Sfn|Habibollah Mehrjou|2013|p=13–14}}

== Career in army and intelligence services ==
At the Officers' School, Nasser met [[Hossein Fardoust]], an event he considered to be the most significant in his life. This was likely because the recent friendship between the Shah and Fardoust also contributed to his career growth. Thanks to his acquaintance with Fardoust, Nasser served in various divisions of the army until 1964, including the 10th Division of Khorasan, the 5th Division of Lorestan, the Shah's Guard, the Ministry of Defense, the Military Prosecutor's Office, and the Academy.{{Sfn|Habibollah Mehrjou|2013|p=15–16}}

In 1959, the "Special Intelligence Bureau" was established in Iran, and General Hossein Fardoust extended an offer to Moghaddam to collaborate with him. Nasser agreed to the proposal.{{Sfn|Habibollah Mehrjou|2013|p=16–17}}

=== Uprising of 15 Khordad (1963) ===
After the suppression of the [[1963 demonstrations in Iran|15 Khordad uprising]], General Fardoust capitalized on the situation and requested the Shah to replace Mustafa Amjadi, the director general of the Department of Internal Security, with Moghaddam.<ref>The Rise and Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty: Memoirs of Former General Hussein Fardust. Translated and Annotated by Ali Akbar Dareini. First edition: Delhi, 1999. P. 306.</ref> The Shah, aware of Amjadi's close association with [[Teymur Bakhtiar]], agreed to Fardoust's suggestion. Moghaddam served as the director of the third Department for approximately 10 years.{{Sfn|Habibollah Mehrjou|2013|p=13}} His responsibilities encompassed overseeing the actions of revolutionary groups and providing the Shah with weekly updates on the public sentiment, a task he purportedly executed competently.<ref>Tahereh Shokuhi. [http://www.iichs.org/index_en.asp?id=949&doc_cat=16 Lieutenant General Nasser Moqaddam (the last chief of SAVAK)].</ref><ref>The Rise and Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty: Memoirs of Former General Hussein Fardust. Translated and Annotated by Ali Akbar Dareini. First edition: Delhi, 1999. P. 378.</ref>

==Second Bureau of Intelligence and Counterintelligence ==
In 1971, Lieutenant General Nasser Moghaddam was promoted to the position of Director of the Army's Second Bureau of Intelligence and Counterintelligence.<ref>Lawrence Journal-World (7 June 1978).</ref>

On 19 April 1973, General Moghaddam assumed the role of Deputy Director General of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, serving under General Azizollah Palizban. The order stated that Nasser Moghaddam's tenure in SAVAK had come to an end, and he would be appointed as the head of the Information Bureau of the 2nd Bureau while retaining the position of Adjutant to the Shah.{{Sfn|Habibollah Mehrjou|2013|p=50}}

==Military ranks==
Moghaddam's military ranks:
* 25 October 1966 – Brigadier General
* 23 October 1970 – Division General ([[Major general|Sarlashgar]])
* 25 October 1971 – Shah's personal adjutant.{{Sfn|Habibollah Mehrjou|2013|p=40}}

== General Moghaddam at the head of SAVAK (June 1978 – February 1979) ==

In April 1978, General Moghaddam sent a confidential letter to the Shah, urging the monarch to take decisive action in light of the country's circumstances. He emphasized the necessity of exemplary punishment for corrupt government officials associated with the royal family and stressed the importance of engaging in a constructive dialogue with the clergy.<ref>H. Nahavandi. Le voile dechire de l’Islamisme (Paris, 1995), p. 90.</ref> Additionally, it is evident from various sources that the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] had been providing financial support to General Moghaddam for many years.<ref>Ephraim Kahana, Muhammad Suwaed. The A to Z of Middle Eastern Intelligence. (2009), p. 123.</ref>

In an attempt to alleviate the tense situation, the Shah, under urgent request from Washington, made concessions to the Iranian public. In June 1978, he removed Nassiri, the powerful director of SAVAK.<ref>Desmond Harney. The Priest and the King: An Eyewitness Account of the Iranian Revolution. (1999), p. 186.</ref> Lieutenant General Nasser Moghaddam was appointed as the new head of the secret police<ref>The New York Times (8 June 1978): "[https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/08/archives/chief-of-intelligence-gets-iran-police-post.html Chief of Intelligence Gets Iran Police Post]".</ref><ref> Hazem Kandil. "The Power Triangle: Military, Security, and Politics in Regime Change". (2016), p. 99.</ref> due to his connections within the opposition, including the Shiite clergy.

In contemporary times, many Iranians have criticized the Shah's decision, considering it a mistake that weakened the Security Service. The threat came from entirely different forces. Unlike General Nassiri, Moghaddam advocated for a constructive dialogue with the religious opposition. It is worth nothing that Moghaddam had ties to opposition groups, including Shiite clerics.<ref>Papava V.A. [https://saba.com.ge/books/details/8902/SAVAK-%E1%83%98%E1%83%A0%E1%83%90%E1%83%9C%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%A8%E1%83%90%E1%83%B0%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%93%E1%83%90%E1%83%96%E1%83%95%E1%83%94%E1%83%A0%E1%83%95%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1%E1%83%90-%E1%83%93%E1%83%90-%E1%83%A1%E1%83%90%E1%83%AE%E1%83%94%E1%83%9A%E1%83%9B%E1%83%AC%E1%83%98%E1%83%A4%E1%83%9D-%E1%83%A3%E1%83%A8%E1%83%98%E1%83%A8%E1%83%A0%E1%83%9D%E1%83%94%E1%83%91%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%A1%E1%83%90%E1%83%9B%E1%83%A1%E1%83%90%E1%83%AE%E1%83%A3%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98 "SAVAK – the secret police of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (1957–1979)"]. Berika Publishing House, Republic of Georgia, Tbilisi, 2016.</ref>

Before assuming his new role, General Moghaddam served as the head of military counterintelligence. He was known for opposing the use of torture<ref> Otto von Habsburg, Nematullah Nassiri. In: Der Spiegel. Nr. 24, 1978.</ref> and his appointment aimed to facilitate better integration between the army and the secret service.<ref> Keine Mehrheit mehr für den Schah. In: Der Spiegel. Nr. 34, 1978.</ref>

Upon assuming his position, Moghaddam focused on dismantling the influence of Nematollah Nassiri, who was then serving as the Iranian ambassador to [[Pakistan]]. Reports suggest that the CIA exerted pressure on Nassiri and his supporters to remove them from the intelligence service, with Nasser Moghaddam being the only viable replacement.{{Sfn|Habibollah Mehrjou|2013|p=54}} During an interview, a former SAVAK officer currently in exile highlighted the significance of Nassiri's dismissal, but also noted that the dismissal of General Ali Motazed, Nassiri's deputy, was equally erroneous. With Moghaddam's appointment, the era of SAVAK's "Iron rule" came to an end.<ref>Former officer of SAVAK, interview by Vasili Papava, 14 May 2016. (See: Papava V.A. "SAVAK – the secret police of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (1957–1979)")</ref>

General Moghaddam had previously served as the army's chief of counterintelligence and was known for his opposition to torture during interrogations.<ref>Der Spiegel (12.06.1978).</ref> His appointment to his new position was a result of the Shah's desire to integrate the army and SAVAK,<ref>Der Spiegel (21 August 1978).</ref> aiming to implement democratic reforms within the armed forces. As an example, Moghaddam allowed lawyers to attend the interrogations of defendants.<ref>Lawrence Journal-World (7 June 1978).</ref>

Following the riots of 21–22 July 1978, the Shah convened a meeting with two generals, Fardoust and Moghaddam, to discuss an action plan against the protesters.<ref>The Carter Administration and the “Arc of Crisis”: Iran, Afghanistan and the Cold War in Southwest Asia, 1977–1981. The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars 25–26 July 2005. P. 136.</ref> However, the meeting failed to produce any substantial results.<ref>National Security Council (20 November 1978). Memorandum For: Zbigniew Brzezinski, From: Samuel M. Hoskinson. Subject: Basic Questions on Iran to be Posed at SCC Meeting.</ref>

=== Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti secret mission to Tehran (September 1978) ===
Shortly after Moghaddam's appointment, a meeting took place between senior SAVAK officials and the leadership of the Iraqi intelligence service. During this meeting, the Iranian side raised concerns about neutralizing Ayatollah Khomeini's political activities. Iraqi officials expressed their full solidarity on this matter.{{Sfn|Habibollah Mehrjou|2013|p=57}} Notably, in early September 1978, [[Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti]], the Director of Iraqi Intelligence, secretly traveled to Tehran. He conveyed [[Saddam Hussein]]'s proposal to the Shah: "His Majesty must put down the revolt with an iron fist, and if you (the Shah) need help in this matter, Iraq is ready to stand by you." Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti suggested assassinating Khomeini, who was residing in [[Najaf]] at the time.<ref> Млечин Л.М. В поисках утраченного величия. Иран, ядерное оружие и Ближний Восток. Санкт-Петербург, 2014. Стр. 163–164.</ref> Acting on the advice of Hossein Fardoust and Nasser Moghaddam, the Shah declined Saddam Hussein's offer. Shortly afterward, Khomeini was expelled from the country and sought refuge in France. Controlling his activities was much easier while he was in Iraq, but in France it became increasingly challenging. Western media portrayed Khomeini as a global figure. [[Reuven Merhav]], an Israeli intelligence officer, later observed that the Shah failed to grasp the consequences of his decision.<ref>Ofira Seliktar. Navigating Iran: From Carter to Obama. (2012), p. 15.</ref>

==Iranian Revolution==
The outbreak of the revolutionary wave was followed by an exodus of security and military officials from the country. For instance, [[Parviz Sabeti]], who was in charge of the 3rd Department, departed on 27 November.<ref>Harney, Desmond. "The Prince And The King". New York: I. B. Tauris. (1999), p. 29.</ref> General [[Gholam Ali Oveissi]] and Tehran Police Chief General Moulavi left Iran in January 1979 and relocated to the United States.<ref>Rubin, Barry. "Paved with Good Intentions: The American Experience and Iran". New York: Penguin Books. (1981), p. 240.</ref>

On 16 January 1979, the Shah and his family departed Iran. On 1 February, [[Ruhollah Khomeini's return to Iran|Khomeini returned]] from exile and assumed personal leadership of the revolutionary process. After three days of battling against the Shah's [[Imperial Guard (Iran)|Imperial Guard]], Khomeini seized control.

Following the revolution's victory, representatives of [[Mehdi Bazargan]] approached Moghaddam and offered him a prominent role in the establishment of a new security service. Moghaddam accepted the offer and later recollected, "It seems that Bazargan will thank for the kindness I have done for him." Concurrently, Moghaddam attempted to destroy all documents in which he was implicated as a participant in repressive actions.{{Sfn|Habibollah Mehrjou|2013|p=95}}

On 15 February, following the execution of former SAVAK director Nematohla Nassiri, Moghaddam realized that his situation was dire and decided to go into hiding temporarily, intending to leave the country at the earliest opportunity. However, he was swiftly apprehended and handed over to the Revolutionary Tribunal. Moghaddam was even impressed by the efficiency of the new security apparatus, stating, "What smart people. If they were my employees at SAVAK, I would be much more successful."{{Sfn|Habibollah Mehrjou|2013|p=96–97}}

While in prison, Moghaddam held hope for a prompt release and securing a favourable position with the support of Mehdi Bazargan.{{Sfn|Habibollah Mehrjou|2013|p=97}} However, on 11 April 1979, General Nasser Moghaddam was executed by order of the Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal.<ref>The Milwaukee Journal (11 April 1979).</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |author=Habibollah Mehrjou|title="The last terrible" (According to life of Naser Moqadam)|publisher=The Center for Islamic Revolution Documents|year=2013|isbn=}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070701021744/http://www.internationalwaterlaw.org/regionaldocs/iran-iraq.html Treaty Concerning the State Frontier and Neighbourly Relationships between Iran and Iraq] (Done 6 March 1975 in Baghdad; in force 22 June 1976)
* ''Answer to History'' by [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] {{ISBN|0-8128-2755-4}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-gov}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Nematollah Nassiri]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Director of the [[SAVAK|National Organization for Security and Intelligence]]|years=1978–1979}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Khosrow Tehrani]]|as=Head of [[Prime Ministry Intelligence Office]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{SAVAK}}
{{People executed by the Islamic Republic of Iran}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moghaddam, Nasser}}
[[Category:Imperial Iranian Army lieutenant generals]]
[[Category:1921 births]]
[[Category:1979 deaths]]
[[Category:Government ministers of Iran]]
[[Category:Directors of SAVAK]]
[[Category:Military personnel executed during the Iranian Revolution]]
[[Category:People executed by Iran by firing squad]]
[[Category:Politicians from Tehran]]
[[Category:Executed Iranian people by the Islamic Republic of Iran]]

Hossein Marashi

2025-08-10T14:37:29Z

2A00:1D34:412:1001:6DAF:494D:7A88:6E4E:

{{Short description|Iranian politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix = [[Seyyed]]
|name = Hossein Marashi
|honorific-suffix =
|native_name = {{No bold|حسین مرعشی}}
|native_name_lang = fa
|image = Hossein Marashi 2017.jpg
|caption = Marashi in August 2017
|office = [[Vice President of Iran]] [[Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran|Head of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization]]
|president = [[Mohammad Khatami]]
|term_start = 4 May 2004
|term_end = 18 August 2005
|predecessor = [[Mohammad Beheshti Shirazi|Mohammad Beheshti]]
|successor = [[Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei]]
|office1 = [[Parliament of Iran|Member of Parliament]]
|term_start1 = 28 May 1996
|term_end1 = 4 May 2004<ref>{{Citation|title=مشروح مذاکرات > مجلس شورای اسلامی > دوره شش > جلسه چهارصد و بيست و سه|work=[[Iranian Parliament]]|url=http://www.ical.ir/index.php?option=com_mashrooh&view=session&id=2865&Itemid=38|language=Persian}}</ref>
|constituency1 = [[Kerman (electoral district)|Kerman]]
|majority1 = 141,781 {{small|(68.9%; 5th term)}}<ref>{{Citation|title=Getting to Know the Representatives in the Majles|publisher=The Iran Social Science Data Portal|work=[[Iranian Parliament]]|page=563|url=https://www.princeton.edu/irandataportal/elections/parl/mpbios/biographies_5th_parliament.pdf|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130002055/https://www.princeton.edu/irandataportal/elections/parl/mpbios/biographies_5th_parliament.pdf|archive-date=2016-11-30|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| office4 = Governor of [[Kerman province]]
| term_start4 = 3 November 1985<ref>{{Citation|title=انتصاب برادر سید حسین مرعشی به سمت استاندار کرمان
|work=[[Iranian Parliament]]|url=http://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/109053|language=Persian}}</ref>
| term_end4 = July 1994
| president4 = [[Ali Khamenei]] [[Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]]
| primeminister4 = [[Mir-Hossein Mousavi]]
| predecessor4 = [[Hamid Mirzadeh]]
| successor4 = [[Morteza Bank]]
| office3= Head of [[Presidential Administration of Iran|President's Office]]
| term_start3 = 16 February 1994
| term_end3 = 28 May 1996
| president3 = [[Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]]
| predecessor3 = [[Mohammad Mirmohammadi]]
| successor3 = [[Mohsen Hashemi Rafsanjani]]
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|11|17|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Rafsanjan]], [[Imperial State of Iran|Iran]]
|death_date =
|death_place =
|party = [[Executives of Construction Party|Executives of Construction]]
|relatives = [[Effat Marashi]] (cousin)
|alma_mater =
}}
{{Original research section|date=January 2009}}

'''Hossein Marashi''' ({{langx|fa|حسین مرعشی}}; born 17 November 1958 in [[Rafsanjan]]) is an Iranian politician. He served as the Iranian Vice President for Cultural Heritage and Tourism from 2003 to 2005. Prior to that, Marashi represented [[Kerman]] in the [[Majlis of Iran|Iranian parliament]]. He strongly backed opposition candidate [[Mir-Hossein Mousavi|Mousavi]] in the 2009 Iranian election.<ref>BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8576834.stm</ref> Marashi is also reportedly a close ally of [[Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]], another former president.<ref>BBC Mr Marashi is also reportedly a close ally of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, former president.</ref> He has been secretary general of the [[Executives of Construction Party]]. He has been named the head of vice-president [[Eshaq Jahangiri]]'s campaign.{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}

He was the head of the province of Kerman for nearly nine years. He founded a Kerman-based charity by the name of Mol-Al-Movahedin Charity (or Non-Profit) Institute, which owns [[Mahan Air]], an Iranian private airline. In 2011, the charity was involved in a scandal when it was accused of buying airplanes on behalf of Mahan Air. The airline had been facing sanctions by the [[US Treasury|United States Department of the Treasury]] for allegedly transporting weapons and advisors to troubled areas such as Syria and Yemen. The claim that firm had any connection with these political actives was denied by members of its board, and Marashi himself.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbad.com/content/dam/NBAD/documents/Business/market-insights/middle-east-african-monitor/may2015/12-05-2015.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2016-02-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304231505/https://www.nbad.com/content/dam/NBAD/documents/Business/market-insights/middle-east-african-monitor/may2015/12-05-2015.pdf |archivedate=2016-03-04 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/b84920ce-f7d1-11e4-9beb-00144feab7de.html|title=Iran's Mahan airline defies sanctions in shadowy aircraft deal|newspaper=Financial Times|location=London|date=11 May 2015|last1=Solomon|first1=Erika|last2=Bozorgmehr|first2=Najmeh}}</ref>

As the head of the [[Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran]], Marashi increased the budget of the organization. However, some of Marashi's opponents believe that he was responsible for the disappearance of invaluable historical pieces, and the destruction of historical buildings. These opponents claim that despite public pressure, he never took any action to stop the destruction of historical artifacts.{{Citation needed|date=February 2016}} Marashi supported the construction of the controversial [[Sivand Dam]] in the territory of [[Pasargadae]]. The dam was constructed in proximity to the ancient city, and experts believe that if the dam burst, it could destroy several [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Sites]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/dec/23/iran.artsnews|title = Dam is threat to Iran's heritage|website = The Guardian|date = 23 December 2004}}</ref>

On March 19, 2010, it was announced that Marashi had been jailed in Iran, when a court of appeals upheld his one-year prison term. He was released from prison earlier than that, on January 25, 2011.<ref>Marashi Jailed BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8576834.stm</ref>

Marashi is a cousin of former president Rafsanjani's wife, [[Effat Marashi]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.marashi.ir/}}
*http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/story/2005/09/050902_ra-jb-iran-pasargad.shtml

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Hamid Mirzadeh]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Governor-general of [[Kerman province]]|years=1985–1994}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Morteza Bank]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Mohammad Mirmohammadi]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Presidential Administration of Iran|Head of President's Office]]|years=1994–1996}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mohsen Hashemi Rafsanjani]]}}
{{s-new|reason=organization established}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Vice President of Iran]] [[Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran|Head of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization]]|years=2004–2005}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei]]}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Majid Ansari]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Head of [[Hezbollah Assembly]]|years=1997–2000}}
{{s-non|reason=Fraction dissolved}}
{{s-new}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Secretary-General of [[Executives of Construction Party]]|years=1999–2014}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Saeed Laylaz]]}}
{{s-new|reason=Fraction established}}
{{s-ttl|title=Parliamentary leader of [[Executives of Construction Party]]|years=2000–2003}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ali Hashemi Bahramani]]}}
{{s-new}}
{{s-ttl|title=Spokesperson of [[Executives of Construction Party]]|years=2006–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-new|reason=Coalition established}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Head of [[Reformists Coalition (2008)|Reformists Coalition]]|years=2008}}
{{s-non|reason=Coalition dissolved}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Mohammad Hashemi Rafsanjani]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Head of Political Bureau of [[Executives of Construction Party]]|years=2014–2021}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Gholamhossein Karbaschi]]}}
{{s-new}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Campaign manager]] of [[Eshaq Jahangiri]]|years=[[2017 Iranian presidential election|2017]]}}
{{s-vac}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Gholamhossein Karbaschi]]}}
{{s-ttl|title= Secretary-General of [[Executives of Construction Party]]|years=2021–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}
{{Khatami cabinet}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Marashi, Hossein}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:Heads of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Executives of Construction Party politicians]]
[[Category:Members of the Reformists' Supreme Council for Policymaking]]
[[Category:Members of the 5th Islamic Consultative Assembly]]
[[Category:Members of the 6th Islamic Consultative Assembly]]
[[Category:People from Kerman province]]
[[Category:Iranian campaign managers]]

{{Iran-MP-stub}}

Mohammad Reyshahri

2025-08-10T12:04:57Z

2A00:1D34:412:1001:6DAF:494D:7A88:6E4E:

{{Short description|Iranian politician and cleric (1946–2022)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Mohammad Reyshahri
| native_name = {{No bold|محمد ری‌شهری}}
| native_name_lang = fa
| image = Mohammad Reyshahri 13990315 0345837.jpg
| birth_name = Mohammad Mohammadi-Nik
| birth_date = 29 October 1946
| birth_place = [[Rey, Iran|Rey]], [[Pahlavi Iran|Iran]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|3|21|1946|10|29|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Tehran]], Iran
| office = [[Assembly of Experts|Member of the Assembly of Experts]]
| term_start = 24 May 2016
| term_end = 21 March 2022
| majority = 1,952,563 (43.38%)
| constituency = [[Tehran Province]]
| office1 = [[Prosecutor-General of Iran]]
| term_start1 = 1989
| term_end1 = 1991
| appointer1 = [[Mohammad Yazdi]]
| predecessor1 = [[Mohammad Mousavi Khoeiniha]]
| successor1 = [[Seyed Abolfazl Mousavi Tabrizi]]
| office2 = 1st [[Ministry of Intelligence (Iran)|Minister of Intelligence of Iran]]
| term_start2 = 15 August 1984
| term_end2 = 29 August 1989
| president1 = [[Ali Khamenei]]
| primeminister2 = [[Mir-Hossein Mousavi]]
| predecessor2 = ''Position established''
| successor2 = [[Ali Fallahian]]
| alma_mater = [[Haghani Circle]]
| party = [[Association for Defence of Revolution Values]] (1996–1999)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parstimes.com/politics/legally_registered_parties.html|work=Khorasan Newspaper|title=List of Legally Registered Parties in Iran|publisher=Pars Times|access-date=21 August 2015|number=14759|page=4|date=30 July 2000}}</ref>
}}
'''Mohammad Reyshahri''' ({{langx|fa|محمد محمدی ری‌‌شهری}}), also known as '''Mohammad Mohammadi-Nik''' (29 October 1946 – 21 March 2022), was an Iranian politician, cleric, judge and religious scholar, who notably served as Chief Judge of the Revolutionary Military Tribunal (1979–1984), as the first [[Ministry of Intelligence and National Security (Iran)|Minister of Intelligence and Security]] (1984–1989) in the cabinet of Prime Minister [[Mir-Hossein Mousavi]] and as [[Prosecutor-General of Iran]] from 1989 to 1991.

==Early life and education==
Reyshahri was born into a religious [[Persians|Persian]] family in [[Rey, Iran|Rey]] on 29 October 1946.<ref name=buchta>{{cite book|last=Buchta|first=Wilfried|title=Who rules Iran?|year=2000|publisher=The Washington Institute and The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung|pages=19|url=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/pubs/WhoRulesIran.pdf}}</ref><ref name=dean>{{cite web|title=Dean of Dar Al-Hadith Scientific-Cultural Institute|url=http://www.darolhadith.com/modules.php?name=my_Menu&pid=3|publisher=Dar Al-Hadith Scientific-Cultural Institute|access-date=19 February 2013}}</ref> He was educated in [[Qom]] and [[Najaf]] in the field of theology.<ref name=buchta/> He and his successor at the ministry of intelligence, [[Ali Fallahian]], were alumni of the [[Haqqani School]] in Qom.<ref>{{cite web|title=Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security: A profile|url=https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/9920777|work=Library of Congress, Federal Research Division|access-date=5 August 2013|format=Report|date=December 2012}}</ref>

==Career==
Reyshahri began to involve himself in political activities in June 1963 during the [[1963 demonstrations in Iran|religious revolts]] after Khomeini's famous speech in Qom.<ref name=buchta/>
In 1967, he fled to Najaf and stayed there for a while. Upon his return to Iran, he was imprisoned.<ref name=buchta/> While incarcerated, he met [[Ali Khamenei]], who later became [[supreme leader of Iran]].<ref name="ABNA-20220326" /> Until the [[Iranian Revolution]], he was banned from preaching.<ref name=buchta/>

After the victory of the revolution, Reyshahri served as Chief Judge of the Revolutionary Military Tribunal from 1979 to 1984, and was involved in investigating and purging the plotters of the [[Nojeh coup plot|Nojeh coup]] (which was planned for 8 July 1980 by supporters of [[Shapour Bakhtiar]] and was reported to Reyshahri by [[Saeed Hajjarian]]) as well as the [[Sadegh Ghotbzadeh|Ghotbzadeh]] coup, which led to the execution of [[Sadegh Ghotbzadeh]] and the removal of grand ayatollah [[Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari|Ayatollah Kazem Shariatmadari]] from being a ''[[Marja'|marja]]'' by the [[Society of Teachers of the Qom Hawza]].<ref>Nader Entessar, ''The Military and Politics in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in''Post-Revolutionary Iran: edited by Hooshang Amirahmadi and Manoucher Parvin'', p. 64, 1988</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/07/13/iranians-report-arrests-in-alleged-coup-attempt/f842c853-1a47-45c7-9cea-136772a82411/ Iranians Report Arrests In Alleged Coup Attempt], ''Washington Post'', July 12, 1980</ref>

From 1984 to 1989, in Prime Minister [[Mir Hossein Mousavi]]'s [[Government of Mir-Hossein Mousavi (1981–1989)|cabinet]],<ref name=bar09>{{cite journal|last=Bar|first=Shmuel|title=Iranian terrorist policy and "export of revolution"|journal=Interdisciplinary Center|year=2009|url=http://www.herzliyaconference.org/_Uploads/2903Iranian.pdf|access-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> Reyshahri served as the inaugural [[Ministry of Intelligence (Iran)|Minister of Intelligence and Security]].<ref name="IQNA-obit" /> He played a major role in defining and expanding the Ministry's role and remit, collaborating especially with the intelligence services of [[North Korea]], [[Baathist Syria|Syria]], [[Gaddafi's Libya|Libya]] and [[South Yemen]], which supported Iran during its [[Iran-Iraq War|war with Iraq]]. Into his tenure also falls the case of [[Mehdi Hashemi]]. Reyshahri executed Hashemi two days ahead of schedule on 28 September 1987, so that Reyshahri would not need to follow a letter written by [[Ruhollah Khomeini|Ayatollah Khomeini]] on 28 September in which he informed Reyshahri that the sentence had been commuted to internal exile.<ref name=miriam>{{cite journal|last=Künkler|first=Mirjam|title=The Special Court of the Clergy (Dādgāh-Ye Vizheh-Ye Ruhāniyat) and the Repression of Dissident Clergy in Iran|ssrn=1505542|journal=Social Science Research Network|date=13 May 2009}}</ref>

Reyshahri was then appointed [[Prosecutor-General of Iran]], serving from 1989 to 1991, and also became Chief Prosecutor of the [[Special Court for the Clergy]] in 1990. He drafted the court's 47-article ordinance, which was subsequently passed in 1990.<ref name=miriam/> Before the Majlis elections in 1996, he established the [[Society for the Defence of the Values of the Islamic Revolution]].<ref name=shah>{{cite journal|last=Alam|first=Shah|title=Conservatives, liberals and the struggle over Iranian politics|journal=Strategic Analysis|year=2000|volume=24|issue=3|pages=553–583|doi=10.1080/09700160008455232|s2cid=153684057}}</ref>

In 1991 Reyshahri was appointed "Representative on Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs" by Supreme Leader [[Ali Khamenei]] placing him in charge of the new "Organization for [[Hajj]] and Pilgrimage". This independent entity was thereafter separate from the office responsible for endowments and charity, with Iranian law stating that "all of the Hajj's cultural, political, and outreach issues are under the exclusive authority of the Supreme Leader's Representative".<ref>[https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/irans-ideological-exploitation-hajj Iran's Ideological Exploitation of the Hajj], Mehdi Khalaji, ''The Washington Institute'', September 12, 2016</ref> He continued to hold that post at least until 2007.<ref name=mathaba>{{cite news|title=Iran Saudi Arabia ties growing ties: Reyshahri|url=http://mathaba.net/news/?x=575107|access-date=19 February 2013|newspaper=Mathaba|date=19 December 2007|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418125457/http://mathaba.net/news/?x=575107|archive-date=18 April 2016}}</ref> He was the dean of the Dar Al Hadith Scientific Cultural Institute.<ref name=dean/> Reyshahri was also an unsuccessful presidential candidate in [[1997 Iranian presidential election|the election]] on 23 May 1997, which led to the presidency of [[Mohammad Khatami]].<ref name=Daniel2012>{{cite book|author=Elton L. Daniel|title=The History of Iran|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qmVUg_qHr2AC&pg=PA234|access-date=19 February 2013|date=16 January 2012|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-37510-1|pages=234}}</ref> He finished in fourth place among the four candidates approved by the [[Guardian Council]].<ref name="IDP">{{Citation|title= 1997 Presidential Election|work = The Iran Social Science Data Portal |url=https://irandataportal.syr.edu/1997-presidential-election |access-date= 26 March 2022}}</ref>

In 2016, he also became a member of the [[Assembly of Experts]].

==Later life==
Reyshahri wrote more than 75 books on Islamic teachings,<ref name="IQNA-obit" /> and one of them, entitled ''The Wisdom of Christ'', was translated and published in English in South Africa to mark the New Year in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ayatollah Reyshahri book on "The Wisdom of Christ" published in S. Africa |url=https://en.abna24.com/news//ayatollah-reyshahri-book-on-the-wisdom-of-christ-published-in-s-africa_1220632.html |access-date=26 March 2022 |publisher=abna24.com |date=20 January 2022 |language=English}}</ref>

Reyshahri died at a hospital in Tehran on 21 March 2022 at the age of 75.<ref name="IQNA-obit">{{cite news |title=Senior Iranian Cleric Ayatollah Reyshahri Passes Away |url=https://iqna.ir/en/news/3478253/senior-iranian-cleric-ayatollah-reyshahri-passes-away |access-date=26 March 2022 |agency=International Quran News Agency |date=22 March 2022 |language=en |quote=He had been hospitalized in Tehran's Khatam-al- Anbya Hospital and passed away at the early hours of Tuesday at the age of 75.... After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, he took several roles in the judiciary branch as head of different courts. He was the first intelligence Minister of the Islamic Republic in 1984. ... Besides teaching in the Qom Seminary, he wrote more than 75 books focused on Islamic teachings. }}</ref> At the funeral on 23 March, Ali Khamenei described Reyshahri as "a benevolent person who served the people" and "always a source of blessings".<ref name="ABNA-20220326">{{Cite news |title=Imam Khamenei: 'I only saw goodness in him' |url=https://en.abna24.com/news//imam-khamenei-%E2%80%9Ci-only-saw-goodness-in-him%E2%80%9D_1242382.html |access-date=26 March 2022 |publisher=abna24.com |agency=[[AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA)|ABNA]]|date=26 March 2022 |language=English|quote=After performing the funeral prayer for the diligent, religious scholar Sheikh Muhammadi Reyshahri on March 23, 2022, Imam Khamenei described this scholar as being a benevolent person who served the people. ... Referring to his first meeting with Mr. ReyShahri in prison during the Pahlavi Regime, Imam Khamenei explained, 'The first time I saw him was there. Then after the Revolution, when he served as a Minister, when he was a judge and when he held various positions, we saw each other frequently. He was truly always a source of blessings.{{'-}}}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*[http://www.iranonline.com/iran/iran-info/Government/Expediency-members.html Members of the Expediency Discernment Council (2000)]

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{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Intelligence of Iran|Minister of Intelligence of Iran]]|years=1984–1989}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ali Fallahian]]}}
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{{Intelligence Ministers of Iran}}
{{1988 executions of Iranian political prisoners}}
{{People executed by the Islamic Republic of Iran}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reyshahri, Mohammad}}
[[Category:Iranian ayatollahs]]
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Iranian Shia clerics]]
[[Category:People from Ray, Iran]]
[[Category:Ministers of intelligence of Iran]]
[[Category:Iranian prosecutors]]
[[Category:Members of the Expediency Discernment Council]]
[[Category:Members of the Assembly of Experts]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 1997 Iranian presidential election]]
[[Category:Association for Defence of Revolution Values politicians]]
[[Category:1988 executions of Iranian political prisoners]]