Following the death of the country’s president in May, voters in Iran elected their new leader Friday. And the educated, centrist leader has a background of tragedy.

Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s new president, is a former heart surgeon and health minister known for his integrity and humility, as reported in a profile done by The Guardian.

His life has been shaped by personal tragedy, notably the loss of his wife and youngest son in a car crash 30 years ago. A single father, he raised his three remaining children alone.

Pezeshkian, who speaks several languages, including Azeri, Kurdish, and Arabic, began his political career in 2006 as a member of parliament for Tabriz. His reformist stance and emphasis on cooperation have defined his political journey. Despite his sharp criticism of corruption, he often defers to experts for economic solutions.

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Pezeshkian Opposes Suppressing Protests

Born in Mahabad, a city with a significant Azeri and Kurdish population, Pezeshkian values ethnic rights to maintain national unity. His political awakening began during his conscription duty in the deprived city of Zabul.

He served as a doctor during the Iran-Iraq war and later specialized in cardiology, eventually becoming the chief administrator at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Although he enforced the hijab in his earlier career, his views have since evolved, and he opposes the suppression of recent protests.

Pezeshkian’s presidency, supported by the appointment of Javad Zarif as an adviser, focuses on improving Iran’s economy through better international relations. He emphasizes the need for $200 billion in annual investment to achieve 6% growth, highlighting the importance of resolving international issues.

Read more at The Guardian.