Dr. Hooshang Amirahmadi, PhD

Rutgers University
President of American Iranian Council (AIC)

Dr. Hooshang Amirahmadi is a Professor at the Edward J Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and Director for the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Rutgers University, and President and Founder of the American Iranian Council.  Dr. Amirahmadi is active on Iran, the Middle East, and US-Iran Relations.  He is the author and editor of over 15 books and 200 journal articles and book chapters, and has been a frequent contributor to international conferences and media interviews in the U.S. and overseas.

Dr. Amirahmadi received his degree in agricultural engineering from the University of Tabriz in 1971 and entered the U.S. in 1975.  Subsequently, he received a PhD from Cornell University in 1982 and has taught at Rutgers University since 1983.  He became active in the late 1980’s on war reconstruction during the Iran-Iraq war, and in the mid 90’s he was the first Iranian intellectual to take the idea of civil society to Iran, the basis of which led to the development of the Reform movement and the surprise Presidential election of Mohammed Khatami in 1997.

In the early 90’s Dr. Amirahmadi became involved in US-Iran relations, initially organizing activities to promote relations, and as a result founded the American Iranian Council, a not for profit 501(C)3 organization located in Princeton, New Jersey – www.american-iranian.org .  On the board of AIC, prominent Americans such as Ambassador Thomas Pickering and Former Senator J. Bennett Johnston reside.  The AIC mission is to foster dialogue and better understanding between the U.S. and Iran and build a bridge of cooperation between Americans and Iranians. AIC provided many breakthroughs in U.S.- Iranian relations, for instance in March 2000 at an AIC conference Secretary Madeline Albright delivered a speech where she extended a regret for past policies concerning Iran and lifted sanctions on Iranian carpets, pistachios and caviar.  Dr. Amirahmadi is regarded as a leading expert on Iran and U.S. – Iran relations.

On May 10, 2005 Dr. Amirahmadi formally announced his candidacy for President of Iran.  Registration documents have been submitted to the Ministry of Interior of Iran who will then send these documents to the Guardian Council, a body that overseas candidate selection.  On May 24th the Guardian Council will announce their decision on which candidates will be allowed to run.  This decision is most crucial for all proposed candidates.  Dr. Amirahmadi will be traveling to Iran within a week to begin his campaign.  Dr. Amirahmadi’s public announcement has already become a major focus of discussion amongst the political and private sector within Iran and the U.S.  

Dr. Amirahmadi platform consists of four key points:

1. Normalization of U.S. – Iranian relations.
2. Economic development focused on creating jobs for the youth and women.
3. Institutionalization of a free election process and the development of a democratic political party system.
4. Establishment of a coalition government on the basis of proportional representation and national reconciliation.

The Presidential elections are scheduled for June 17, 2005.    

For more information, please contact:

Global Tel: +1-609-509-9099

U.S. Tel: +1–609-937-6488

Tel: + 011-98-912-1260656 (available in Iran after May 20, 2005)

Fax: +1-609-279-9889

Email: Hooshang@amirahmadi.com

Alternate Contact:

Stephanie Jason, President, International Forum Institute

Tel: +1-904-226-7413

Email:  jasonsmj@aol.com