Daei also pursued academic and business ventures. He studied agricultural engineering at Islamic Azad University before transferring to metallurgical engineering at Sharif University of Technology, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2008. Beyond education, he became a member of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce in 2009 and expanded into multiple business fields, including:
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Importing and producing sportswear and equipment.
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Real estate investments and construction projects in Tehran.
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Ventures in the food industry, insurance, and steel trading.
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Ownership of restaurants and jewelry stores (later managed by his wife).
These diverse activities demonstrate Daei’s transformation from athlete to entrepreneur and respected public figure.
However, his role in public life has also attracted controversy. During the 1401 Iranian uprising, his family was subjected to restrictions, including the forced landing of a plane carrying his wife and child at Kish Airport. Daei responded firmly, clarifying his position while invoking memories of the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. Such incidents underline his continued visibility in Iran’s socio-political discourse.
