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 Hashemi Rafsanjani in 1987 | |
| Presidency of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani 16 August 1989 –3 August 1997 | |
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani | |
| Cabinet | First cabinet,Second cabinet |
| Party | Combatant Clergy |
| Election | 1989,1993 |
| Seat | Pasteur St. Building |
 Seal of the president | |
Presidency of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was the 5th and 6th government of Iran after Iranian Revolution. At that time,Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was the president.
Rafsanjani adopted an "economy-first" policy,supporting a privatization policy against leftist economic tendencies in the Islamic Republic. [1] Another source describes his administration as "economically liberal,politically authoritarian,and philosophically traditional" which put him in confrontation with more radical deputies in the majority in the Majles of Iran. [2]
Rafsanjani advocated a free-market economy. With the state's coffers full,Rafsanjani pursued an economic liberalisation policy. [3] Rafsanjani's support for a deal with the United States over Iran's nuclear programme and his free-market economic policies contrasted with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his allies,who advocate maintaining a hard line against Western intervention in the Middle East while pursuing a policy of economic redistribution to Iran's poor. [4] By espousing World Bank inspired structural adjustment policies,Rafsanjani desired a modern industrial-based economy integrated into the global economy. [5]
Rafsanjani urged universities to cooperate with industries. Turning to the quick pace of developments in today's world,he said that with "the world constantly changing,we should adjust ourselves to the conditions of our lifetime and make decisions according to present circumstances". [6] Among the projects he initiated are Islamic Azad University. [7] [8]
During his presidency,a period in which Rafsanjani is described by western media sources as having been the most powerful figure in Iran,the judicial system of Iran executed political dissidents,drug offenders,Communists,Kurds,Bahá'ís,and clerics. [9]
Following years of deterioration in foreign relations under Khomeini during the Iran-Iraq war,Rafsanjani sought to rebuild ties among Arab states, [10] as well as with countries in Central Asia,including Azerbaijan,Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. [11] However,relations with European countries and the United States remained poor,even though Rafsanjani has a track record of handling difficult situations and defusing crises. [12]
He condemned both the United States and Iraq during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. After the war he strove to renew close ties with the West,although he refused to lift Khomeini's fatwa against the British author Salman Rushdie. [13]
Rafsanjani has said that Iran is ready to assist Iraq,"expecting nothing in return". On the other hand,he has said that "peace and stability" is a function of the "evacuation of the occupiers." [14]
Iran gave humanitarian help to the victims of the conflict. Iran sent truck loads of food and medicine to Iraq and thousands of Kuwaiti refugees were given shelters in Iran. [15]
Rafsanjani voiced support to Prince Abdullah's peace initiative and to "everything the Palestinians agree to". He was also clear that Iran's international interests must take precedence over those of Iranian allies in Syria and Lebanon. [12]
Rafsanjani is a supporter of Iran's nuclear program. In 2007 Rafsanjani reiterated that the use of weapons of mass destruction was not part of the Islamic Republic culture. Rafsanjani said:"You [US and allies] are saying that you cannot trust Iran would not use its nuclear achievements in the military industries,but we are ready to give you full assurances in this respect." [16]
During 1990–95,Rafsanjani's administration faced the brunt of the second-generation US economic sanctions. He failed to stop the Iranian rial from plunging 80% in value from 415 to 2,046 to the US dollar,triggering the rise of the modern underground and barter economic networks.[ citation needed ]
| Portfolio | Minister | Took office | Left office | Party | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Administration | |||||||||
| President | 16 August 1989 | 3 August 1997 | CCA | ||||||
| First Vice President | 21 August 1989 | 3 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Chief of Staff | August 1989 | 16 February 1994 | Nonpartisan | ||||||
| 1994 | 1996 | ECP | |||||||
| 29 May 1996 | August 1997 | ECP | |||||||
| Ministers | |||||||||
| Agriculture Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Communications Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Commerce Minister | 29 August 1989 | 16 August 1993 | ICP | ||||||
| 16 August 1993 | 20 August 1997 | Nonpartisan | |||||||
| Construction Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Cooperatives Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Culture Minister | 29 August 1989 | 24 May 1992 | ACC | ||||||
| 16 July 1992 | 15 February 1994 | ICP | |||||||
| 22 February 1994 | 20 August 1997 | ICP | |||||||
| Defence Minister | 29 August 1989 | 16 August 1993 | ECP | ||||||
| 16 August 1993 | 20 August 1997 | Military | |||||||
| Finance Minister | 29 August 1989 | 16 August 1993 | ECP | ||||||
| (head of ministry) | 17 August 1993 | 6 October 1993 | Nonpartisan | ||||||
| 6 October 1993 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | |||||||
| Education Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Energy Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Foreign Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | ICP | ||||||
| Health Minister | 29 August 1989 | 13 January 1991 | Nonpartisan | ||||||
| 13 January 1991 | 16 August 1993 | ECP | |||||||
| 16 August 1993 | 20 August 1997 | ICP | |||||||
| Housing Minister | 29 August 1989 | 16 August 1993 | Nonpartisan | ||||||
| 16 August 1993 | 20 August 1997 | Nonpartisan | |||||||
| Roads Minister | 29 August 1989 | 16 August 1993 | Nonpartisan | ||||||
| 16 August 1993 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | |||||||
| Mines and Metals Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Light Industries Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Heavy Industries Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Intelligence Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | CCA | ||||||
| Interior Minister | 29 August 1989 | 16 August 1993 | ACC | ||||||
| 16 August 1993 | 20 August 1997 | Nonpartisan | |||||||
| Justice Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Labour Minister | 29 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | WH | ||||||
| Petroleum Minister | 20 August 1989 | 20 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Higher Education Minister | 29 August 1989 | 16 August 1993 | AIMSI | ||||||
| 16 August 1993 | 20 August 1997 | Nonpartisan | |||||||
| Other cabinet-level officials | |||||||||
| Physical Education Vice President | September 1989 | 16 February 1994 | ICP | ||||||
| 16 February 1994 | 23 August 1997 | ECP | |||||||
| Atomic Energy Vice President | 16 August 1989 | 3 September 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Environment Vice President | 16 August 1989 | 23 August 1997 | Nonpartisan | ||||||
| Executive Vice President | 1989 | 1994 | Nonpartisan | ||||||
| 1994 | 1997 | ECP | |||||||
| Legal and Parliamentary Vice President | 21 August 1989 | 23 August 1997 | ECP | ||||||
| Plan and Budget Vice President | 1989 | 1994 | Nonpartisan | ||||||
| 1994 | 1997 | Nonpartisan | |||||||
| Administrative Vice President | 16 August 1989 | 16 February 1994 | ECP | ||||||
| 16 February 1994 | 23 August 1997 | Nonpartisan | |||||||
| Economic Vice President | August 1993 | 14 September 1994 | ECP | ||||||
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