Who is iran president

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: As of 2024, the President of Iran is Ebrahim Raisi, who took office in August 2021 after winning the June 2021 election with 62% of the vote. He is the eighth president of the Islamic Republic and a hardline conservative with close ties to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Key Facts

Ebrahim Raisi became Iran's president in August 2021 after winning 62% of the vote in the June 2021 election.
He is the eighth president of the Islamic Republic of Iran since the 1979 revolution.
Raisi is a hardline conservative cleric with close ties to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
His presidency is limited to two four-year terms under Iran's constitution.
Raisi died in a helicopter crash on May 19, 2024, prompting an emergency election.

Overview

The President of Iran is the second-highest-ranking official in the Islamic Republic, after the Supreme Leader. While the president oversees domestic policy and the economy, ultimate authority rests with the Supreme Leader, who controls the military, judiciary, and foreign policy.

Ebrahim Raisi, a conservative cleric and former judiciary chief, assumed office in August 2021 after a decisive electoral victory. His presidency emphasized economic self-sufficiency, anti-corruption campaigns, and strict adherence to Islamic law.

Ebrahim Raisi won the June 2021 presidential election with 62% of the vote, the lowest turnout since the 1979 revolution at 48.8%.
He officially took office on August 3, 2021, succeeding Hassan Rouhani after completing the constitutional handover process.
Raisi previously served as head of the Judicial system from 2019 to 2021, where he expanded the power of conservative courts.
He is known for his role in the 1988 mass execution of political prisoners, a point of significant international criticism.
As president, Raisi prioritized the 'Resistance Economy' model, aiming to reduce reliance on oil and counter Western sanctions.

How It Works

The Iranian presidency operates within a complex theocratic framework where elected officials share power with unelected religious authorities. The president is directly elected by the people but must operate under the guidance of the Supreme Leader.

Term: The president serves a four-year term and can be re-elected once. The current constitution limits presidents to two consecutive terms, as seen with Hassan Rouhani’s tenure from 2013 to 2021.
Election Process: Candidates must be approved by the Guardian Council, a 12-member body of clerics and jurists, which disqualified over 98% of applicants in the 2021 election.
Eligibility: Only Shia Muslim men who support the principle of velayat-e faqih (guardianship of the jurist) are eligible to run for president.
Voting System: Iran uses a simple majority system; if no candidate wins over 50% in the first round, a runoff is held between the top two.
Executive Powers: The president appoints the cabinet and heads of state firms, though key ministries like Defense and Intelligence require Supreme Leader approval.
Foreign Policy Limits: While the president can negotiate international agreements, the Supreme Leader holds final authority on matters of war, peace, and nuclear policy.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of Iran's last five presidents reveals shifts in political ideology, economic strategy, and international engagement over the past four decades.

President	Term	Political Lean	Key Policy	Notable Event
Abolhassan Banisadr	1980–1981	Liberal	Post-revolution stabilization	Impeached and fled Iran
Ali Khamenei	1981–1989	Conservative	War-time leadership	Became Supreme Leader in 1989
Mohammad Khatami	1997–2005	Reformist	Dialogue of Civilizations	2009 protests followed his successor
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad	2005–2013	Hardline	Anti-Western rhetoric	2009 Green Movement protests
Hassan Rouhani	2013–2021	Moderate	JCPOA nuclear deal	Sanctions relief until U.S. withdrawal in 2018

This table highlights how presidential influence in Iran is shaped by both individual leadership styles and the broader constraints of theocratic governance. While reformists like Khatami pushed for openness, hardliners like Ahmadinejad and Raisi emphasized ideological purity and resistance to foreign influence. The president’s ability to enact change ultimately depends on alignment with the Supreme Leader and the Guardian Council.

Why It Matters

Understanding the role of Iran's president is essential for analyzing the country's domestic and foreign policy trajectory, especially amid ongoing nuclear negotiations and regional tensions.

Domestic Control: The president manages the annual $400+ billion national budget, influencing sectors like energy, health, and education.
Economic Impact: Raisi’s focus on import substitution and anti-sanction strategies affected inflation rates, which exceeded 40% in 2023.
International Relations: While not the final decision-maker, the president leads diplomatic delegations, such as Raisi’s 2023 visit to Iraq and China.
Succession Dynamics: The presidency is a potential stepping stone; Ayatollah Khamenei was president before becoming Supreme Leader.
Human Rights: Raisi’s record drew scrutiny from the UN over alleged crimes against humanity during the 1988 purges.
Post-Raisi Transition: After Raisi’s death in May 2024, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber became acting president, triggering a 50-day election window.

The Iranian presidency, though constitutionally limited, remains a key institution for shaping public policy and projecting political identity both domestically and internationally. Changes in leadership can signal shifts in economic direction, social freedoms, and diplomatic posture, making it a critical barometer of Iran’s future.