President Mohammad-Ali Rajai; From Sarvan and Zabul to New York

Following the bombing, Khomeini was more intent than ever on securing clerical dominance in Iran but was apparently still committed to his promise—made under pressure from more secular, nationalist revolutionaries—that clerics should not become president. “Rajai had been trusted by Beheshti and was trusted by Khomeini because he really didn't represent anyone or anything himself,” says historian Ervand Abrahamian. “He was seen as an errand boy for people like Beheshti.”