Politician Kamal Kharazi passed away on April 9, 2026, at the age of 81. Introduction Kamal Kharazi was one of the most prominent diplomats and statesmen in modern Iranian history. He held positions including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to the United Nations, and was regarded for decades as a key figure in Iranian foreign policy. His combination of academic background and diplomatic experience made him an intellectual authority within Iranian state institutions. Political Career Kharazi was born on December 1, 1944, in Tehran, Iran. He studied psychology and management and served as a professor at the University of Tehran from 1983 onwards, teaching management and educational psychology. This academic foundation distinguished him from many of his diplomatic contemporaries. His international career began in April 1989, when he was appointed Ambassador of Iran to the United Nations, a position he held until August 1997. In this capacity, he represented Iran during major international debates on nuclear energy and sanctions, during a period of significant geopolitical tension surrounding the country. From August 20, 1997, to August 24, 2005, Kharazi served as Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Mohammad Khatami. His tenure coincided with a period of relative political opening, during which Iran took cautious steps to normalize relations with Western countries. Kharazi was a central figure of Iranian diplomacy during these years and participated in international negotiations on the nuclear dossier and Iran's position in the international community. However, efforts to break Iran's international isolation achieved limited success, partly due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and disagreements over the nuclear energy program. Following his ministerial tenure, Kharazi remained active in the Iranian political and policy landscape: He became chairman of the Strategic Council for Foreign Relations, an influential think tank that helped shape Iranian foreign policy. He served as an adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. In 2016, he founded the Institute for Cognitive Sciences, aimed at integrating modern scientific insights into Iranian education and policymaking. On September 20, 2022, he was appointed as a member of the Council for Expediency and Discernment, one of Iran's highest advisory bodies, underscoring his continued role in the country's strategic decision-making. Kharazi was fluent in English and French, which enhanced his effectiveness in international forums. He represented a generation of Iranian diplomats capable of communicating at the highest level within Western diplomatic circles, while maintaining the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic. Private Life Kamal Kharazi was born and raised in Tehran. Little is publicly known about his personal life. His academic work at the University of Tehran, where he served as a professor from 1983 onwards, formed a constant alongside his political and diplomatic positions. The founding of the Institute for Cognitive Sciences in 2016 reflected his personal interest in connecting science, education, and statecraft. Death Kamal Kharazi died on April 9, 2026, at the age of 81, from wounds sustained by an airstrike during the conflict that erupted in 2026 surrounding Iran. The exact place of death has not been confirmed. His death occurred during a period of severe military escalation, in which several prominent Iranian figures lost their lives. Further details regarding official responses from the Iranian government, any memorial services, or state funeral had not been confirmed at the time of publication. Conclusion With the death of Kamal Kharazi, the international diplomatic community loses one of the most experienced and versatile representatives of Iranian foreign policy in recent decades. His role as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the reform years under Khatami, his long record of service at the United Nations, and his continued institutional influence as an adviser and chairman of strategic councils make him a defining figure in modern Iranian diplomacy. On Overleden.net you will find more notable deceased figures from politics. This article was prepared with the support of AI tools and verified by the editorial team of Overleden.net.