Who is Behrouz Nemati? Member of Parliament, Close Associate of Larijani, and Advisor to the Minister of Oil

Who is Behrouz Nemati?
Behrouz Nemati (born 1968 in Asadabad, Hamadan Province) is an Iranian politician, former two-term member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, former member of the Presiding Board and spokesperson of the Parliament's Presiding Board, and current advisor to the Minister of Oil on executive affairs and a member of the Council of Deputies of the Ministry of Oil in the 14th administration. He is one of the most high-profile figures of the middle generation of moderate-centrist politicians over the past decade and a half. With a tumultuous career path—from serving as governor of Bijar County in Kurdistan Province, to serving as CEO and board member of some of Iran's largest industrial-production companies (including National Shoe Company, Ghadir Industrial and Commercial Company, Alborz China Company, Kurdistan Cement Company, Ravand Carpet Company, and Kurdistan Gypsum Company), to two terms as a member of parliament (9th term from Asadabad and 10th term from Tehran), to a sustained presence in the executive structure of the Ministry of Oil across three consecutive administrations (Rouhani, Raisi, and Pezeshkian)—he is considered one of the prominent examples of transitioning between legislative, executive, economic, and even sports arenas. Nemati, who is known in Iran's political space as a "close associate of Ali Larijani" and one of the prominent figures of the Followers of Velayat Faction, is among the politicians who, despite their high-profile presence in the Rouhani administration, the Pezeshkian administration, and numerous executive positions, were nonetheless disqualified by the Guardian Council in two consecutive parliamentary elections (the 11th Parliament in 2019 and the 12th Parliament in 2023)—an issue he himself has described as resulting from a policy of "purification."
The significance of Behrouz Nemati in Iran's political-executive sphere can be examined from several angles. First, his long background in the legislative structure—as a two-term representative (9th and 10th Parliaments), member of the Presiding Board, spokesperson of the Presiding Board, vice-chairman of the Followers of Velayat Faction, and member of the Industry and Mining, Energy, and Special Committee for Supporting National Production Commissions—which places him among the most experienced figures of the moderate faction over the past two decades. Second, his close connection with Ali Larijani—who is known in public discourse as one of the close associates of the former Speaker of Parliament and current deputy of the Supreme National Security Council—which places him among the most central figures affiliated with the Larijani network. Third, his exceptional persistence in the Ministry of Oil structure across three consecutive administrations—from advising the Minister of Oil in the 12th administration (Bijan Zanganeh), to activity in the 13th administration (despite restrictions), and finally, as Deputy for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and then advisor to the Minister of Oil in the 14th administration (Mohsen Paknejad)—which is an example of his continuity in the oil sector. Fourth, his high-profile managerial-economic background—reflected in his chairmanship and CEO positions at some of Iran's largest industrial-production companies. Fifth, the high-profile controversies surrounding his employment and promotion at the Ministry of Oil—especially the claim of "7 promotions in 7 consecutive days" in December 2016—which became one of the most debated issues regarding the administrative-legal files of parliamentary representatives in Iran's media space.
Nemati, in addition, was a member of the Presiding Board of the Wrestling Federation and, on May 4, 2019, was appointed as head of this federation by Masoud Soltanifar (the then-Minister of Sports and Youth)—a sign of his prominent presence in the sports arena.

Life and Background
Behrouz Nemati was born in 1968 in the city of Asadabad—one of the prominent counties of Hamadan Province in western Iran. Asadabad, which is considered one of the ancient cultural-political centers of western Iran and is known as the birthplace of Jamal al-Din al-Afghani (a prominent thinker of the Constitutional era), is one of the prominent electoral districts of Hamadan Province.
Born in 1968, Nemati belongs to a generation that, as adolescents, coincided with the Iran-Iraq War and, as young adults, coincided with the Reconstruction era and then the Reform era—a generation that, in the 2000s and 2010s, reached prominent executive-legislative positions.

Political-Executive Path
Before entering parliament, Nemati had held numerous executive positions.
Governor of Bijar County
One of Nemati's prominent executive positions was serving as governor of Bijar County in Kurdistan Province—an experience that formed the foundation of his familiarity with local administration and provincial executive challenges.
Presence in Industrial-Production Companies
Before entering the parliamentary arena, Nemati was active as one of the prominent managers of Iran's industrial-production sector. Over the years, he held numerous positions as Chairman of the Board, CEO, and board member of some of Iran's largest companies:
Chairman of the Board:
- National Shoe Company (one of Iran's oldest shoe brands)
- Ghadir Industrial and Commercial Company
- Iran Parsay-e Isfahan
- Daryaban-e Jonub
- Alborz China Company
- Gol-e Naghsh-e Toos
Board Member:
- National Industrial Group
- Permit
- Kurdistan Gypsum
CEO and Board Member:
- Ravand Carpet Company
- Asiya-ye Aram
Deputy CEO:
- Kurdistan Cement Company
This collection of managerial positions was one of the prominent aspects of his executive-economic background.

Representation in the 9th Parliament (2011-2015)
Nemati's first legislative experience was representing the people of Asadabad in the 9th term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.
Election Victory
In the 9th parliamentary elections, Nemati succeeded in winning 26,129 votes (a total of 48.41% of the votes in the Asadabad constituency), becoming a parliamentary representative.
Positions in the 9th Parliament
In the 9th Parliament, Nemati held prominent positions within the internal structure of Parliament:
- Spokesperson of the Presiding Board of the Islamic Consultative Assembly
- Vice-Chairman of the Followers of Velayat Faction (the faction close to Ali Larijani)
- Member of the Industry and Mines Commission
- Member of the Presiding Board of the Special Commission on Article 44 of the Constitution
- Member of the Special Commission for Supporting National Production
- Member of the Sports Faction of Parliament
- Representative of the Legislative Branch on the Article 76 Committee
The position of spokesperson of the Presiding Board, in which Nemati regularly conducted media interviews regarding parliamentary decisions, was one of the most high-profile positions of his 9th Parliament term.
Prominent Positions in the 9th Term
During the 9th term, Nemati was one of the serious critics of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency—a position aligned with the Followers of Velayat Faction.

Representation in the 10th Parliament (2015-2019)
The most high-profile chapter of Nemati's legislative record was his representation of Tehran in the 10th term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.
Victory in Tehran
In the 10th parliamentary elections (March 2016), Nemati, who had previously been the representative of Asadabad in Hamadan, was placed on the 30-person list of the "Comprehensive Reformist Coalition: Step Two" in the Tehran constituency and was elected as the representative of Tehran, Rey, Shemiranat, Islamshahr, and Pardis. This victory, in which Nemati, from the prominent reformist coalition list, became a representative of the capital, was a sign of his comprehensive political position within the moderate-reformist centrist network.
Positions in the 10th Parliament
In the 10th Parliament, Nemati held several prominent positions:
- Member of the Presiding Board of the Islamic Consultative Assembly
- Spokesperson of the Presiding Board of Parliament (continuing his role from the 9th term)
- Member of the Energy Commission
Nemati's expertise in the energy sector during the 10th term formed the foundation of his subsequent entry into the Ministry of Oil structure.

Employment Controversy at the Ministry of Oil (December 2016)
The most high-profile and controversial chapter of Nemati's record was his employment at the Ministry of Oil in December 2016.
Employment at Age 48
According to published reports, Nemati was officially employed by the Ministry of Oil on December 11, 2016, at the age of 48. This employment, which made headlines in Iran's media space due to his age and background, was accompanied by critics' claims of "support from Bijan Zanganeh" (the then-Minister of Oil).
7 Promotions in 7 Days
The most high-profile aspect of this case was the claim of "7 promotions in 7 consecutive days." According to published reports based on an official employment document: "After his employment, his employment grade was raised one level each day over 7 consecutive days, from December 12 to 18, 2016."
This claim, which was raised in comparison to "ordinary employees and managers of the Ministry of Oil who have to wait years for each grade promotion," was one of the most debated issues regarding the administrative-legal files of parliamentary representatives in recent years.
Annulment of Approvals
In subsequent years, according to published reports, the approvals related to the privileges of 11 oil managers and illegal organizational bases were annulled. Additionally, the Ministry of Oil's approval granting special privileges to parliamentary representatives was also annulled.

Head of the Wrestling Federation (May 4, 2019)
In addition to his legislative and executive activities, Nemati also played a high-profile role in the sports arena.
On May 4, 2019, Masoud Soltanifar, the then-Minister of Sports and Youth, appointed Nemati as head of the Wrestling Federation. This appointment, in the tense atmosphere of managing Iran's prominent wrestling federation, was one of the significant events of politicians' presence in the sports arena.
Nemati, in addition, was a member of the Presiding Board of the Wrestling Federation and a member of the Sports Faction of Parliament—a sign of his sustained interest in this national sport.

Multiple Disqualifications (2019 and 2023)
The most high-profile political challenge for Nemati in recent years has been his consecutive disqualifications from parliamentary elections.
Disqualification for the 11th Parliament (2019)
On the eve of the 11th parliamentary elections (March 2019), Nemati's qualification was not approved by the Guardian Council—a decision made in the tense post-election atmosphere and amid widespread disqualifications of moderates and reformists.
Disqualification for the 12th Parliament (2023)
In the 12th parliamentary elections (March 2023), Nemati's qualification was once again rejected. This consecutive double disqualification was considered one of the most debated cases of barring former representatives from the legislative arena in Iran's media space.
Nemati's Position on Disqualification
In one of his prominent positions (in a notable interview with Tasnim News Agency in August 2023), Nemati stated: "I was wronged in the qualification approval process; they didn't give a reason either, because they were seeking purification." This position, in which the policy of "purification" is cited as the reason for disqualification, was one of the most high-profile criticisms of the qualification review process in recent years.
In the same interview, Nemati also declared his persistence in the political arena: "If I decide to run in elections, I will definitely be on the list."

Activity at the Ministry of Oil
The most central chapter of Nemati's recent record is his sustained presence in the Ministry of Oil structure across three consecutive administrations.
Advisor to the Minister of Oil in the 12th Administration
In the 12th administration (Hassan Rouhani), Nemati served as advisor to the Minister of Oil (Bijan Zanganeh)—a position that, in the post-2019 disqualification atmosphere, formed the foundation of his continued political-executive activity within the formal structure.
Potential Presence in the 14th Administration
With Masoud Pezeshkian's victory in the 2024 presidential election, Nemati's name was raised among potential candidates for the Ministry of Oil in the 14th administration. During the transition period, Nemati published an 8-point program for the Ministry of Oil in Pezeshkian's administration on his X account—a position that signaled his readiness to enter the ministerial position.
Despite this, Mohsen Paknejad was ultimately selected as the Minister of Oil for the 14th administration.
Deputy for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs of the Ministry of Oil
Following Paknejad's selection, Nemati was appointed by the Minister of Oil as Deputy for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs of the Ministry of Oil. This appointment, in September 2024, signaled the continuation of his presence in the Ministry of Oil structure across three consecutive administrations.
Advisor to the Minister of Oil on Executive Affairs (Current Position)
Currently, Nemati is the advisor to the Minister of Oil on executive affairs and a member of the Council of Deputies of the Ministry of Oil in the 14th administration—a position that has kept him within the executive-decision-making structure of the Ministry of Oil.

Prominent Views and Positions
Throughout his intellectual-political record, Behrouz Nemati has formulated a clear intellectual framework.
Close Connection with Ali Larijani
The most central political position of Nemati is his close connection with Ali Larijani—the former Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and current member of the Supreme National Security Council. In one of his prominent positions, he stated: "Mr. Larijani will certainly play a role in the March 2023 elections. After all, a group of former representatives are in contact with Mr. Larijani, and these individuals are not insignificant in the political arena."
Criticism of the Raisi Administration and the Stability Front
In one of his recent high-profile positions, Nemati expressed a critical view of the 13th administration and the Stability Front: "Ayatollah Raisi is a good head of the judiciary," but he added: "Raisi cannot even breathe without the permission of his Stability Front friends."
Defense of the JCPOA
Nemati also took a position in defense of the JCPOA, calling the "story of the 20-minute JCPOA approval" raised by critics a "lie"—a position that signaled his connection with the pro-JCPOA current.
Criticism of the "Purification" Policy
One of Nemati's high-profile positions has been his criticism of the "purification" policy in Iran's political-electoral structure. In his view, his consecutive disqualifications were a sign of this policy.
Support for the Rouhani and Pezeshkian Administrations
Throughout his record, Nemati has been a serious supporter of the Rouhani administration and then the Pezeshkian administration—a position that aligns with his moderate-centrist identity.

Relationships with Figures and Currents
Behrouz Nemati is situated within a network of political-executive connections with prominent figures of the Islamic Republic. At the political level, his relationship with Ali Larijani (former Speaker of Parliament) formed his close political network. At the factional level, Nemati was among the most prominent figures of the Followers of Velayat Faction.
At the executive level, his sustained relationship with Bijan Zanganeh (former Minister of Oil in the Rouhani administration) and Mohsen Paknejad (Minister of Oil in the Pezeshkian administration) forms his executive network in the oil sector. At the sports level, his relationship with Masoud Soltanifar (former Minister of Sports, who appointed him as head of the Wrestling Federation) forms his sports network.
At the party level, in the post-2024 election atmosphere, Nemati is among the moderate-reformist figures close to the Pezeshkian administration—including Mohammad Javad Zarif (with whom he was in contact on the proposed working group for the Ministry of Oil in the 14th administration), Mohammad Shariatmadari, and other prominent figures of the moderate current.
At the media level, his consistent presence in prominent media—including Shana News Agency, Tasnim News Agency, ISNA, Tabnak, Fararu, Javanan-e Khabargar, and the Entekhab website—forms his media communication network.

Conclusion
Behrouz Nemati is one of the most high-profile figures of the middle generation of moderate-centrist politicians over the past decade and a half. With a unique combination of a long background in the legislative arena (two terms as a parliamentary representative from Asadabad and Tehran, membership in the Presiding Board, spokespersonship of the Presiding Board, and vice-chairmanship of the Followers of Velayat Faction), close connection with Ali Larijani, sustained presence in the Ministry of Oil structure across three consecutive administrations (Rouhani, Raisi, and Pezeshkian as Deputy for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and then advisor to the Minister of Oil), a distinguished managerial-economic background in some of Iran's largest industrial-production companies (including National Shoe Company, Alborz China Company, Ghadir Industrial Company, and Kurdistan Cement Company), presence in the sports arena (as head of the Wrestling Federation), and finally, the experience of two consecutive disqualifications from parliamentary elections (2019 and 2023), which he himself has described as resulting from a policy of "purification," he has occupied a special position in contemporary Iran's political-executive structure.
Nemati's distinguishing features are multi-level:
First, his exceptional ability to maintain continuity in the Ministry of Oil structure across three consecutive administrations—a continuity in which a politician, despite being twice disqualified from parliamentary elections, was able to continue his activity in executive-legal positions in this strategic ministry. This persistence is relatively unique among former parliamentary representatives.
Second, his close connection with the Larijani network—which has gained particular importance in the post-2024 election atmosphere and the appointment of Ali Larijani as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council—is one of the prominent aspects of his position.
Third, the high-profile controversies surrounding his administrative-legal file—especially the claim of "7 promotions in 7 days" in December 2016—is an example of one of the most debated cases regarding the administrative files of parliamentary representatives in recent years.
From an analytical perspective, Nemati's position represents an example of the phenomenon of the "former parliamentary representative-stable executive manager" in contemporary Iran—a phenomenon in which a politician with a legislative background, in the post-disqualification atmosphere, attains high-profile executive positions within the formal structure of the system and, through this, continues his political-executive role. This pattern, while having other examples among former parliamentary representatives, has found special expression in Nemati through his exceptional continuity in one of the country's most strategic economic ministries (Oil) and his close connection with Larijani.
What is clear from today's perspective is that the issues Nemati has addressed in his activities and stances—from oil policy, the legislative arena, the relationship with the Larijani network, criticism of the purification policy, defense of the JCPOA, support for moderate-reformist administrations, and the challenge of disqualifications—remain among the most debated topics in contemporary Iranian political-economic discourse. At a time when Iran is in one of its most tense political-economic periods—especially following the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June 2025 and growing energy and economic challenges—Nemati's role in the executive structure of the Ministry of Oil in the 14th administration is considered one of the high-profile aspects of oil sector management in this period.

Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Behrouz Nemati?
Behrouz Nemati (born 1968 in Asadabad, Hamadan Province) is an Iranian politician, former two-term member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, former member of the Presiding Board and spokesperson of the Parliament's Presiding Board, and current advisor to the Minister of Oil on executive affairs and a member of the Council of Deputies of the Ministry of Oil in the 14th administration. He is known as one of the close associates of Ali Larijani.
What are Nemati's parliamentary records?
In the 9th Parliament (2011-2015), Nemati was the representative of Asadabad in Hamadan, and in the 10th Parliament (2015-2019), he was the representative of Tehran, Rey, Shemiranat, Islamshahr, and Pardis (on the 30-person list of the Comprehensive Reformist Coalition: Step Two). In both terms, he was a member of the Presiding Board and spokesperson of the Presiding Board of Parliament.
What is Nemati's relationship with Ali Larijani?
Nemati is known as one of the close associates of Ali Larijani—the former Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and current member of the Supreme National Security Council. In the 9th Parliament, he was vice-chairman of the Followers of Velayat Faction (the faction close to Larijani).
Why was Nemati disqualified for the 11th and 12th Parliaments?
Nemati's qualification was consecutively not approved by the Guardian Council in the 11th (2019) and 12th (2023) parliamentary elections. Nemati himself has described these disqualifications as resulting from a policy of "purification": "I was wronged in the qualification approval process; they didn't give a reason either, because they were seeking purification."
What role does Nemati have at the Ministry of Oil?
Nemati has been active in the Ministry of Oil structure across three consecutive administrations: advisor to the Minister of Oil in the 12th administration (Rouhani-Zanganeh), activity in the 13th administration, and Deputy for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs of the Ministry of Oil in the 14th administration (Pezeshkian-Paknejad). He is currently the advisor to the Minister of Oil on executive affairs and a member of the Council of Deputies.
What was the controversy over "7 promotions in 7 days"?
According to published reports, Nemati was officially employed by the Ministry of Oil on December 11, 2016, at age 48, and then, over 7 consecutive days (December 12-18, 2016), received one grade promotion each day. This issue, which received widespread coverage in comparison to ordinary Ministry of Oil employees, was one of the most debated controversies surrounding the administrative-legal files of parliamentary representatives in recent years.
What are Nemati's managerial records at companies?
Nemati has served as Chairman of the Board of several major Iranian companies, including: National Shoe Company, Ghadir Industrial and Commercial Company, Iran Parsay-e Isfahan, Daryaban-e Jonub, Alborz China Company, Gol-e Naghsh-e Toos. He has also been a board member of the National Industrial Group, Permite, and Kurdistan Gypsum, CEO of Ravand Carpet Company and Asiya-ye Aram, and Deputy CEO of Kurdistan Cement Company.
What is Nemati's role in the Wrestling Federation?
Nemati was a member of the Presiding Board of the Wrestling Federation and, on May 4, 2019, was appointed as head of the federation by Masoud Soltanifar (the then-Minister of Sports and Youth). He was also a member of the Sports Faction of Parliament.
What is Nemati's view on the Raisi administration?
In one of his prominent positions, Nemati stated: "Ayatollah Raisi is a good head of the judiciary," but added: "Raisi cannot even breathe without the permission of his Stability Front friends." This position signaled his critical view of the Stability Front's influence in the 13th administration.
Is Nemati still active?
Yes, Behrouz Nemati, as advisor to the Minister of Oil on executive affairs and a member of the Council of Deputies of the Ministry of Oil in the 14th administration, is currently one of the main activists in the executive structure of the Ministry of Oil. His consistent presence in prominent media and his X account is a sign of his sustained media activity. His analytical positions on oil policy, relations with the Larijani network, the challenges of the 14th administration, and consecutive disqualifications continue to be high-profile in the Persian-language media space.