Mohammad Khatami (born 14 October 1943) is an Iranian politician, philosopher, and Shia cleric who served as the fifth president of the Islamic Republic of Iran from 3 August 1997 to 3 August 2005. Widely known as the “president of reform,” Khatami’s tenure marked a pivotal moment in post-revolutionary Iranian politics, as he sought to reconcile the ideals of the 1979 Islamic Revolution with demands for democracy, civil rights, and global engagement. Before becoming president, he served as Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance from 1982 to 1992, during which he promoted intellectual openness and artistic expression, albeit within Islamic limits. Later, he emerged as a vocal critic of hardline elements in Iran’s political establishment, especially under the administration of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Khatami’s presidency was characterized by his attempts to modernize Iran’s political and cultural landscape. He came to power unexpectedly, riding a wave of popular enthusiasm among youth, women, and intellectuals. In an election that stunned the conservative establishment, he won nearly 70% of the vote in 1997, signaling an overwhelming demand for change. His central campaign themes — rule of law, civil society, freedom of expression, and dialogue among civilizations — resonated deeply with a population weary of ideological rigidity and international isolation.
