Attempted Return and the Rouhani Era
Rafsanjani ran for president once more in 2013, intending to challenge the hardliners. However, his candidacy was disqualified by the Guardian Council, a rare and controversial decision reflecting the deepening political rifts within the establishment. Despite the setback, his support shifted to Hassan Rouhani, a moderate cleric and longtime ally.
Rouhani’s eventual victory in 2013 was seen by many as a vindication of Rafsanjani’s political vision. Rafsanjani played a key behind-the-scenes role in advising Rouhani, especially on foreign policy and the nuclear negotiations that culminated in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. As Rouhani’s administration sought economic reintegration with the world, Rafsanjani’s stature gradually recovered among reformists and younger Iranians.
Death and Legacy
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani died on January 1, 2016, after suffering a heart attack. His death was a significant moment in the history of the Islamic Republic. Millions mourned his passing, and his funeral in Tehran drew enormous crowds, signaling the complex and often contradictory feelings Iranians held toward him.