List of Presidents of Iran: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Iran from 1980 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Iran, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Iran: Masoud Pezeshkian (in office since 2024). Iran's head of state is the Supreme Leader, who holds more power than the president. Ali Khamenei held that post from 1989 until he was killed in a US–Israeli strike on 28 February 2026; his son Mojtaba Khamenei was named his successor in March 2026. The president, who heads the government, is listed here.

Presidents of Iran in order, with years in office

Abolhassan Banisadr

Served: 1980–1981

First elected president of the Islamic Republic; removed from office in June 1981.

Mohammad-Ali Rajai

Served: 1981

Elected in July 1981 as the second president and assassinated in August 1981.

Ali Khamenei

Served: 1981–1989

Elected in October 1981 and re-elected for a second term; became Supreme Leader in 1989 and held that post until he was killed in a US–Israeli strike on 28 February 2026.

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Served: 1989–1997

Served two terms, focusing on post-war reconstruction.

Mohammad Khatami

Served: 1997–2005

Reformist who served two terms and sought greater social freedoms.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Served: 2005–2013

Former mayor of Tehran who served two terms.

Hassan Rouhani

Served: 2013–2021

Cleric who served two terms and reached the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Ebrahim Raisi

Served: 2021–2024

Former chief justice who died in a helicopter crash on 19 May 2024.

Mohammad Mokhber

Served: 2024 (acting)

First vice president who acted as president from 19 May to 28 July 2024.

Masoud Pezeshkian

Served: 2024–present

Won the July 2024 runoff and took office on 28 July 2024; served ex officio on the Interim Leadership Council in March 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Iran

Who is the current president of Iran?

The current head of state of Iran is Masoud Pezeshkian, in office since 2024. Iran's head of state is the Supreme Leader, who holds more power than the president. Ali Khamenei held that post from 1989 until he was killed in a US–Israeli strike on 28 February 2026; his son Mojtaba Khamenei was named his successor in March 2026. The president, who heads the government, is listed here.

Who were the previous presidents of Iran?

The presidents and heads of state of Iran listed on this page, in order, are: Abolhassan Banisadr, Mohammad-Ali Rajai, Ali Khamenei, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Mohammad Khatami, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Hassan Rouhani, Ebrahim Raisi, Mohammad Mokhber, Masoud Pezeshkian.

Who was the first president of Iran?

Abolhassan Banisadr was the first president of Iran, in office 1980–1981.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Iran, President of Iran and Government of Masoud Pezeshkian; Britannica; Al Jazeera, CNN, NPR and Reuters reports from March–October 2026 (checked Nov 2026). Presidents of the Islamic Republic since the office was created in 1980; the Supreme Leader, who is the head of state, is covered in the note.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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