Masoud Pezeshkian, born in 1954 in Mahabad, Iran, emerged as the ninth president of Iran in July 2024. Notably the oldest to assume this position at age 69, Pezeshkian represents the reformist faction within Iranian politics, advocating for cautious social and political reforms along with favoring renewed nuclear negotiations with the West.
Background and Political Rise
A medical doctor by training from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Pezeshkian served as a military doctor during the Iran-Iraq war. His political career began in 1997 under the reformist president Mohammad Khatami, where he served as Deputy Health Minister and later as Minister of Health from 2001 to 2005.
He was an influential parliamentarian for over a decade (2008-2024), where he was a vocal critic of government policies such as the stringent enforcement of hijab laws and the harsh crackdown on protests, including those following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini.
Presidency and Policies
Pezeshkian’s presidency is marked by his dual stance: maintaining loyalty to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei while attempting moderate reforms and diplomatic overtures. He supports the Axis of Resistance in the Iran-Israel proxy conflict but also seeks to revive the stalled nuclear deal with the United States to alleviate economic sanctions on Iran.
Recent Assassination Attempt and Israeli Airstrikes
In June 2025, amidst escalating tensions and a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, Pezeshkian was reportedly wounded during an Israeli airstrike targeting a secret underground facility in western Tehran. The strike hit a meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, including Pezeshkian and other senior officials. According to Iranian state media affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, the president sustained minor leg injuries as he escaped through an emergency hatch after multiple bombs sealed off all access points and ventilation to the site.
This assassination attempt underscored the intensifying hostilities between Tehran and Jerusalem. Pezeshkian had previously condemned Israeli aggression and vowed retaliation after Israeli strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure earlier in 2025. The incident has further entrenched the ongoing Iran-Israel war, heightening regional instability.
Overall Significance
Masoud Pezeshkian is a pivotal figure navigating Iran through a volatile period, balancing reformist ambitions with hardline pressures and fierce external conflicts. His narrow escape from an Israeli strike has reinforced his resolve but also spotlighted the precarious security challenges facing Iran’s highest leadership.
Though injured, Pezeshkian continues to lead Iran at a critical juncture, steering the country’s domestic policies and foreign relations amid persistent threats and efforts for diplomatic engagement.