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Reformist Aref appointed as first vice president
Haji-Mirzaei appointed as president’s chief of staff
Aref has represented Tehran in parliament and served as first vice president and communications minister under Iran’s last Reformist president Mohammad Khatami, who held office from 1997 to 2005. He was also a candidate in the 2013 presidential election but withdrew in favor of Hassan Rouhani, who went on to win the presidency.
Aref is currently a member of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution and a member of the Expediency Council. He holds a doctorate in engineering from Stanford University.
Pezeshkian also served as health minister under Khatami. Iran’s new president also appointed former education minister Mohsen Haji-Mirzaei as his chief of staff.
Haji-Mirzaei served as education minister under former president Rouhani.