Ali Akbar Velayati (Persian: علی‌اکبر ولایتی English pronunciationⓘ; born 24 June 1945) is an Iranian conservative politician and physician.

Velayati finished his studies in pediatrics before moving to Johns Hopkins University for a fellowship in infectious diseases.

[citation needed] In the meantime, Velayati taught at university and was an active member of such influential body as the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution.

He is known as one of the key figures of the "Mafia" who govern Iran's foreign ministry from inside the "Office of the Supreme leader" and make the most important decisions.

[8][9] In November 2006, Argentine Judge Rodolfo Canicoba Corra issued international arrest warrants for Velayati, six other Iranians and one Lebanese in connection with the bombing of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) in Buenos Aires, which resulted in the death of 85 people and serious injuries to 151.

[10] Velayati has been on the official Wanted list of Interpol since March 2007, for allegations of "Aggravated Murder and Damages" related to the AMIA bombing.

[11][12][13] The arrest warrant is based on the allegation that senior Iranian officials planned the attack in an August 1993 meeting, including Khamanei, the Supreme Leader, Mohammad Hejazi, Khamanei's intelligence and security advisor, Rafsanjani, then president, Ali Fallahian, then intelligence minister, and Velayati, then foreign minister.

[15] On 30 October 2013, Velayati became head of Center for Strategic Research, being appointed by Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

He promised a robust external relationship with community reconciliation and more diplomatic relations with Europe and the United States.