Rare Photo Emerges of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Riding a Roller Coaster

According to Saed News, the newly discovered image shows Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani—one of Imam Khomeini’s closest companions and Iran’s president from 1989 to 1997—enjoying a ride on a roller coaster at an unnamed amusement park. Born on 3 Shahrivar 1313 (August 25, 1934) in the village of Noq Bahraman, Rigan County, Rafsanjani rose through the ranks of the Islamic Revolution’s early leadership, later serving as the Speaker of Parliament and Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council.

In the photo, the Ayatollah is seated on the coaster’s train car, gripping the safety bar with a composed expression—a rare candid moment contrasting with his public image as a pragmatic cleric and seasoned negotiator. The amusement park setting, long absent from official archives, underscores a lighter side of a figure best known for steering Iran through the tumultuous post-war reconstruction period and initiating cautious economic reforms.

Rafsanjani’s death on 19 Dey 1395 (January 8, 2017) in Tehran marked the end of an era: his influence spanned four decades and shaped Iran’s political landscape. This photograph enriches the historical record by revealing a personal facet of the late leader, reminding observers that even high-ranking officials seek moments of ordinary enjoyment. As this image circulates, it invites reflections on the multifaceted nature of public figures—and the private humanity behind their public roles.