Kamal Kharrazi’s biography and career trace the rise of one of Iran’s most prominent diplomats, from academic work to senior positions in government, media and international diplomacy. His career reflects a mix of public service, foreign policy experience and academic achievement.
The Majlis confirmed Kharrazi as Iran’s foreign minister on August 20, 1997, after he spent years serving as the country’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations. That appointment cemented his standing in Iran’s diplomatic establishment.
Before becoming foreign minister, Kharrazi represented Iran at the United Nations from 1989. During that period, he led Iranian delegations at major international conferences and took on several senior roles within the UN system.
He served in vice-presidential roles during sessions of the UN General Assembly and at the UN Summit Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. Those assignments strengthened his profile as a senior voice in Iran’s foreign policy circles.
His earlier government work also included a stint as deputy foreign minister for political affairs from August 1979 to March 1980.
Kamal Kharrazi Senior Roles in State Institutions
From July 1980 to September 1989, Kharrazi served as president of the Islamic Republic News Agency. During those years, he also held influential roles in Iran’s wartime and state institutions.
He was a member of Iran’s Supreme Defence Council and served as head of the War Information Headquarters from September 1980 to September 1988. Earlier in 1979, he also served as vice president of Iranian National Television and managing director of the Centre for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults.
Alongside his public service, Kharrazi built a long academic career. He has served as a professor of management and educational psychology at Tehran University since 1983.
Before returning to Iran, he worked as a teaching fellow at the University of Houston in the United States from 1975 to 1976. He earned his doctorate in education from the University of Houston in 1976. He also holds a master’s degree in education and completed his undergraduate studies at Tehran University.
Kharrazi wrote and translated several textbooks and articles on education and management. He also appeared on international media programmes and at university campuses in the United States and Europe, where he presented Iran’s views on major global issues.
In addition, he helped found the Islamic Research Institute in London, joined the American Association of University Professors, and was admitted to the New York Academy of Sciences in 1994.
