Description
Mohammad Khatami (born October 14, 1943) is an Iranian cleric, philosopher, and politician who served as the fifth President of Iran from 1997 to 2005.
Early Life and Education
Khatami was born in Ardakan, Yazd Province, into a Sayyid family. He pursued his early education in Iran before studying Western philosophy at Isfahan University. Subsequently, he completed advanced Islamic studies at the Qom Seminary, attaining the rank of Ijtihad.
Political Career
Before his presidency, Khatami held several significant positions, including Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance from 1982 to 1992.
In the 1997 presidential election, Khatami ran as a reformist candidate, advocating for greater political freedoms, civil rights, and improved relations with the international community. His campaign resonated with a broad segment of the Iranian populace, leading to a landslide victory with approximately 70% of the vote.
