History of Hassan Rouhani

Hassan Rouhani is a prominent Iranian politician and cleric who has played a significant role in the country’s political landscape over the past few decades. His life and career reflect the complexities of Iranian politics and the challenges the nation has faced both internally and on the international stage.

Born Hassan Fereydoun on November 12, 1948, in the small town of Sorkheh, in Semnan Province, Iran, Rouhani showed early promise in his academic pursuits. His family was religious and politically active, which undoubtedly influenced his future career. Rouhani began his education at a local seminary in Semnan before moving to Qom in 1960 to further his studies in Islamic law. He was involved in the religious and political activities of the time, often attending lectures by prominent Islamic scholars, including those of Ayatollah Khomeini, who would later lead the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Rouhani pursued higher education abroad, attending Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland, where he earned a M.Phil. and later a Ph.D. in law. His thesis focused on Islamic law and its interaction with British law, illustrating his interest in the intersection of traditional religious values with modern legal systems.

Rouhani's political career began in earnest with the Iranian Revolution of 1979, when the monarchy was overthrown and the Islamic Republic was established. As an ally of Ayatollah Khomeini, Rouhani quickly rose through the political ranks. He served as a member of the Majlis, Iran's parliament, representing the people across five consecutive terms from 1980 to 2000. During his time in the Majlis, he held multiple key leadership roles, including Deputy Speaker of Parliament from 1992 to 2000.

Throughout the 1980s, Rouhani was actively involved in Iran's military affairs, particularly during the Iran-Iraq War. He served on the Supreme Defense Council and was the deputy commander of the war. His role in coordinating defense during this tumultuous period earned him significant influence in military and security circles.

In the post-war years, Rouhani continued to serve in various governmental capacities. One of his most notable roles was as the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, a position he held from 1989 to 2005. It was during this time that he became a key figure in Iran's nuclear negotiations, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy. Under President Mohammad Khatami, Rouhani adopted a pragmatic approach to foreign policy, working towards reducing tensions with Western countries and addressing Iran's nuclear program issues.

Rouhani's reputation as a moderate and a diplomat paved the way for his election as President of Iran in 2013. His campaign focused on rehabilitating Iran's economy, improving relations with the West, and addressing the nuclear issue. Rouhani’s administration was marked by a significant foreign policy achievement: the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, agreed upon in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany). The agreement aimed to curtail Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions, promising relief for Iran's struggling economy and a reduction in international isolation.

Domestically, Rouhani faced significant challenges, including economic mismanagement, corruption, and political opposition from hardline factions within Iran. His presidency was marked by a struggle to balance reformist agendas with conservative pressures, a testament to the complex and often divided nature of Iranian politics.

Rouhani was re-elected in 2017 with a clear mandate to continue his pursuit of economic reforms and international engagement. However, his second term saw increasing difficulties. The U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA under President Donald Trump in 2018 and the re-imposition of sanctions severely impacted Iran's economy and Rouhani's ability to deliver on his promises of economic revitalization. This period was marked by growing domestic dissatisfaction, exacerbated by economic hardships, political repression, and environmental issues.

Despite these challenges, Rouhani remained committed to a policy of engagement and dialogue, both domestically and internationally. His leadership style, often characterized by pragmatism and moderation, aimed to steer a middle course between conservative and reformist factions within Iran. However, by the end of his presidency in 2021, Rouhani's political capital had diminished significantly due to economic woes and unmet promises, leading to a political environment ripe for a conservative resurgence.

Hassan Rouhani’s political journey is emblematic of Iran’s broader struggles with modernization, international isolation, and internal divisions. His career reflects the complexities of Iranian governance, where clerical authority, political factionalism, and external pressures continually shape the nation’s trajectory. As a politician, Rouhani has exemplified the challenges faced by pragmatists in a system that is inherently resistant to rapid change, yet his efforts in diplomacy have left a lasting impact on Iran’s foreign relations.