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Image 1 of 1
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Tehran, Iran, 2011
I photographed Masoud Pezeshkian in Iran's parliament around 2011, long before he became president of the Islamic Republic.
At the time, Pezeshkian was a former health minister under reformist President Mohammad Khatami and a member of parliament representing Tabriz.
I remember him as a relatively quiet, unassuming figure, often walking through parliament with a bag over his shoulder, away from the attention surrounding some of the country's more prominent political personalities.
His political career, however, would take a remarkable turn.
Having served as health minister from 2001 to 2005 and entered parliament in 2008, Pezeshkian later became a deputy speaker of parliament before winning Iran's presidential election in July 2024.
His rise reflected a political career spanning reformist governments, parliamentary politics and the power structures of the Islamic Republic under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes in February 2026.
Looking back at this photograph, I am reminded of how an apparently ordinary moment in political life can acquire historical significance years later.
Photograph by Farhad Rajabali
Editorial Use License (Digital Download)
This image is licensed for editorial use only.
Permitted use includes:
– News reporting
– Editorial articles and features
– Documentary projects
– Non-commercial online or print publications
The following uses are not permitted:
– Commercial use
– Advertising or promotional use
– Branding, marketing, or product endorsement
– Any use implying endorsement by a person, organisation, or entity depicted
No model or property releases are provided.
The buyer is responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable laws.
Copyright remains with the artist.
The listed price applies to standard editorial use by small or independent publications.
Use by major media organisations, print editions, or wide distribution requires an extended license.
Tehran, Iran, 2011
I photographed Masoud Pezeshkian in Iran's parliament around 2011, long before he became president of the Islamic Republic.
At the time, Pezeshkian was a former health minister under reformist President Mohammad Khatami and a member of parliament representing Tabriz.
I remember him as a relatively quiet, unassuming figure, often walking through parliament with a bag over his shoulder, away from the attention surrounding some of the country's more prominent political personalities.
His political career, however, would take a remarkable turn.
Having served as health minister from 2001 to 2005 and entered parliament in 2008, Pezeshkian later became a deputy speaker of parliament before winning Iran's presidential election in July 2024.
His rise reflected a political career spanning reformist governments, parliamentary politics and the power structures of the Islamic Republic under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes in February 2026.
Looking back at this photograph, I am reminded of how an apparently ordinary moment in political life can acquire historical significance years later.
Photograph by Farhad Rajabali
Editorial Use License (Digital Download)
This image is licensed for editorial use only.
Permitted use includes:
– News reporting
– Editorial articles and features
– Documentary projects
– Non-commercial online or print publications
The following uses are not permitted:
– Commercial use
– Advertising or promotional use
– Branding, marketing, or product endorsement
– Any use implying endorsement by a person, organisation, or entity depicted
No model or property releases are provided.
The buyer is responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable laws.
Copyright remains with the artist.
The listed price applies to standard editorial use by small or independent publications.
Use by major media organisations, print editions, or wide distribution requires an extended license.