TEHRAN - Iran's newly inaugurated President Masoud Pezeshkian has retained Mohammad Eslami as the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), a key position in the country's nuclear program Eslami has been holding since he was first appointed by the late President Ebrahim Raisi in 2021.

Eslami's journey in government began with his appointment as the caretaker of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development in October 2018, following the resignation of Abbas Akhoundi. Just a week later, he earned the confidence of the Iranian parliament and was confirmed as the Minister of Roads and Urban Development, becoming the third individual to hold this position in Iran. Eslami holds a master’s degree in civil engineering as well as an MBA in aviation management. 

Eslami’s background is rich with experience in various capacities within Iran’s defense sector. He has held key positions, including Deputy of Engineering and Development Plans at the Defense Industries Organization and CEO of Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Company. 

Throughout his career, Eslami has been an active participant in numerous councils and committees, including the Supreme Aviation Council and the National Committee to Combat Dust Storms. His academic contributions include teaching at Malek Ashtar University of Technology and supervising doctoral programs at the National Defense University.

Pezeshkian also announced a number of other cabinet appointments on Saturday, including Saeed Ohadi as the director of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs and Hossein Afshin, a 44-year-old mechanical engineering professor at Sharif University of Technology, as the vice president for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-based Economy.

Zahra Behrooz was also appointed as the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs.

The new president's cabinet appointments, which are subject to parliamentary approval, are expected to be finalized on August 11, with lawmakers set to announce the results of their debates on August 17. 

Pezeshkian had already appointed Mohammad Reza Aref as his first vice president shortly after assuming office in a ceremony on July 28. Some have alleged that Pezeshkian will also retain Esmail Khatib as the Minister of Intelligence, and propose Abbas Araqchi, former Deputy Foreign Minister, as Iran’s top diplomat.