Mir-Salim was appointed Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance in 1994. His tenure was characterized by a strongly conservative Islamist direction, aiming to stave off the “cultural onslaught” of Western culture and promote pious Islamic culture in its place, including through the use of repressive measures. The Ministry under his direction was particularly known for closing a number of reformist newspapers.He was later appointed to the Expediency Discernment Council.He is assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Amirkabir University of Technology.