Education

• Ph.D.  Constitutional Law, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1996
• M. A. (M. Phil.) Law, University of Glasgow , Scotland, 1994
• B. A.  Judicial Law, Tehran University, 1972

Seminary Studies

• Kharij Fiqh and Usul (Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence); taught by such scholars as Grand Ayatollah Seyed Mohammad Mohaqqeq Damad, Sheikh Morteza Haeri, and Seyed Mohammad Reza Golpayegani.
• Advanced Studies; taught by scholars like Grand Ayatollah Soltani, Grand Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani, and Sheikh Mohammad Shahabadi.

Professional Experience

1. The Representative of the Supreme Leader to the Supreme National Security Council, 1989-present.
2. Member of the Assembly of Experts, 1999-present, and a Member of its Presiding Bureau.
3. Member of the Expediency Council, 1991-present, and Chairman of the Political, Social, and Security Commission of the Expediency Council.
4. President of the Center for Strategic Research, 1992-present.
5. Majlis deputy for five terms, from the 1^st to 5^th Majlis terms; Chairman of Majlis Defense Commission, in the 2^nd and 3^rd Majlis terms; First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament and Chairman of Majlis Foreign Relations, in 4^th and 5^th Majlis terms.
6. Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council for 16 years, 1989- 2005.
7. Member of Board of Trustees, Tehran University and the North District, 1995 to 1999.
8. Member of the Supervisory Board of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, 1980-1983.
9. Member of the Supreme Defense Council, 1983-1988.
10. Head of the Central Headquarters of Khatam-ul-Anbia Command Post, 1985-1987.
11. Head of the Central War Support Headquarters, 1986-1988.
12. Commander of the National Air Defense, 1985-1991.

Publications

Published about 100 books and scientific papers. Supervised development and writing of more than 700 important strategic studies with policy recommendations in the past 16 years.

Sample of books:

1. Islamic Revolution: Roots and Challenges; Vol. 1; 1997
2. Fundaments of Political Thoughts of Imam Khomeini; 1999
3. September 11 Attacks and the Stance of the Islamic Republic of Iran; 2001
4. Global Developments and the Status of the Islamic Republic of Iran; 2003
5. Oral History: Islamic Revolution – Memoirs Vol. 1; 2009
6. Oral History: Sacred Defense – Memoirs; Vol. 2; to be published
7. Islamic Revolution: Roots and Challenges; Vol. 2; to be published
8. National Security Strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, two volumes; to be published
9. Biography of Shiite Imams in History; to be published
10. The Islamic Legislative Power; 1994
11. The Flexibility of Shariah; Islamic Law; 1996