Ali Akbar Salehi is an Iranian nuclear physicist and politician, known for his role in Iran's nuclear program. He served as the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) from 2009 to 2013 and again from 2021. Salehi has been involved in various diplomatic efforts regarding Iran's nuclear activities, particularly during negotiations with the P5+1 countries. In addition to his work in nuclear energy, Salehi has held several academic positions, including serving as a professor at Sharif University of Technology. He earned his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which has contributed to his expertise in the field.