The day after Iran's parliament removed the Minister of the Interior from office for forged academic credentials (see yesterday's blog), it passed a new law to require presidential candidates to hold a master's degree or its equivalent. The bill passed by a majority vote, with 151 members of the 206 members present voting in favor of it, 31 against, and 6 abstentions. The law is subject to final approval or veto by the twelve-member Council of Guardians, which reviews all laws passed by the parliament to determine any conflicts with the Constitution and Islamic Sharia law.

Current Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (H.E. Dr. Ahmadi Nejad) holds a Master of Science in civil engineering from the Science and Technology University in Tehran. In 1987, he earned his Ph.D. in transportation engineering and planning from the same university.

Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran

• President of Iran
• Official Blog of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
• Council of Guardians
• Malijis of Iran / Islamic Consultative Assembly / Parliament
• Ministry of the Interior
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA)
• Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB )