Mohammad Eslami on 29 August was appointed new head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI), replacing Ali Akbar Salehi who had held the post since August 2013. Eslami was born in 1956 in Isfahan and received his BSc in civil engineering from Detroit University in 1979 and master’s degree in the same field from Ohio University in 1981. He also received an MBA in global aviation management from the University of Sharif and Royal Rhodes University in 2004.
He was also confirmed as housing and transport minister by the parliament in the autumn of 2018 after nomination by President Hassan Rouhani after Abbas Akhondi resigned the post. Eslami retained that post until the end of Rouhani’s presidency earlier this year. Eslami also served as managing director of Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company and deputy chief of Aerospace Industries Organisation among other top managerial posts. However, he has no experience in the nuclear industry.
Welcoming Eslami on 30 August, former AEOI head Salehi said he was pleased that the huge task of running the AEOI had been delegated to a committed, experienced and expert person. He stressed the significance of status of the Organisation in both the domestic and international arenas. Eslami said that the Organisation is one of the most strategic sectors in Iran, which has an important impact on national empowerment.
With a focus on strategy of development and excellence, effective steps will be taken in line with the removal of barriers and obstacles to development and progress, Eslami emphasised. He added that the
AEOI has the most experienced, competent, committed and talented manpower that can realise most of its objectives.
