Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi

Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, born on August 15, 1948, was a prominent Iranian-Iraqi Twelver Shia cleric and principlist politician. He served as the chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council from August 14, 2017, until his passing on December 24, 2018. His political career was marked by significant roles, including a decade-long tenure as the chief justice of Iran from 1999 to 2009.

Shahroudi's educational foundation was laid in Najaf, Iraq, where he studied under Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr, the founder of the Islamic Dawa Party. His political journey was intertwined with the tumultuous history of Iraq, particularly during the regime of Saddam Hussein, which led to the execution of al-Sadr in April 1980. Shahroudi's leadership of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq raised eyebrows, especially regarding his simultaneous role as Head of Iran's Judiciary.

Upon taking office as the Head of Iran's Judiciary, Shahroudi famously remarked that he had inherited an utter ruin from his predecessor, Mohammad Yazdi. His appointment of Saeed Mortazavi as prosecutor general became controversial, especially as Mortazavi's actions against dissidents during Khatami's reform movement drew criticism. Despite his position, Shahroudi faced challenges from hardliners within the regime, limiting his ability to intervene in Mortazavi's conduct.

In July 2011, he was appointed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to mediate a dispute between Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the parliament, showcasing his influence within the political landscape. Considered one of the wealthiest Shi'i scholars in Iran, Shahroudi reportedly amassed a substantial multi-million dollar income from an export-import business. In 2010, he declared himself a Marja', further solidifying his status within the religious community.