Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Born: 28-Oct-1956
Birthplace: Garmsar, Iran

Gender: Male
Religion: Shia Muslim
Race or Ethnicity: Middle Eastern
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Head of State

Nationality: Iran
Executive summary: President of Iran

Hardcore religious conservative and Islamist. Contrary to earlier reports (likely propaganda), he was not involved in the taking of American hostages in 1979. He was elected President of Iran in the runoff elections in 2005, defeating Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani with 61.7% of the vote, though Rafsanjani was leading in the first vote, with Ahmadinejad earning only 19.5% of the vote. Many other candidates were disqualified by Iran's religious ruling class, the "Council of Guardians".

At a Teheran conference The World without Zionism, 28 October 2005, Ahmadinejad stated that "the Israeli regime must be wiped off the map" (a statement originally translated by the state news service, and thus disseminated to the West, as referring to Israel itself, despite clarification by Iran's foreign minister), further stating that a "historic war between the oppressor and the world of Islam" would occur in Palestine. Later that same day, at a gathering of students, he called for "the annihilation of the Zionist regime." This viewpoint, in conjunction with Iran's nuclear weapons development program, has alarmed many observers, including some in the US Congress who have called for Iran's expulsion from the United Nations. The UN Security Council has unanimously condemned the remarks.

Father: Ahmad (blacksmith)
Mother: Seiyed Khanom

University: Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology
University: MSc Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology
University: PhD Transportation Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology
Professor: Iran University of Science and Technology

President of Iran (3-Aug-2005 to present)
Iranian Mayor Tehran (2003-05)