Sadeq Khalilian

Sadeq Khalilian (born 1959) is an Iranian economist, academic and politician who served as agriculture minister from 2009 to 2013 in the government headed by Mahmoud Ahmedinejad.

Early life and education
Khalilian was born in Ahvaz in the Khouzaestan province in 1959. He holds a bachelor's degree from Ahvaz University. He received a PhD in agricultural economy from Tarbiat Modares University in 1996. During his studies, he was a member of the Islamic Association of Students.

Career
Khalilian became a member of the Revolutionary Committees and IRGC after graduation. In 1990, he began to work at Tarbiat Modares University's faculty of agriculture as a faculty member. From 1998 to 2000, he served at different administrative positions at the university. Then he served as deputy agriculture minister until 2009. After the presidential elections in 2009, Ahmedinejad nominated Khalilian as agriculture minister. He was approved by the Majlis on 3 September 2009. He won 200 votes in favor and 54 votes against.

Khalilian registered for the 2013 presidential election, but he withdrew his candidacy on 14 May.