Hasan Rowhani: a man who can be reasoned with, who will sit down at the negotiating table and deliver Iran from its extended isolation from the international community.

Do you believe that?

Analysts and governments across the world have been holding their breath in eager anticipation of where this “moderate” leader will take Iran. Unable to hold in their excitement, some burst forth with praise for the newly-elected Iranian president. Many of these hopeful people come from Iran, where a desire for change is fueled by an economy in ruins and biting sanctions. “After eight years of darkness, the clouds of extremism could soon begin to part,” said Karim Sadjadpour, an analyst with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. While hopeful, such words reveal dangerous naivety.

At a glance, Rowhani seems to be the best hope for moderation in the Iranian government. Among the eight presidential contenders, Rowhani campaigned from the most moderate platform. When he swept to victory in a landslide, excitement sparked among reformists. Caught up in high hopes and election promises, many are overlooking, or at the least downplaying, Rowhani’s background. However, history shows he is not the moderate that he is making himself out to be.

A masters degree from Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland is not the only education Hasan Rowhani has received. He has learned much more at the feet of the ayatollahs over the past few decades. From the early days of revolution in 1979, Rowhani has been in league with Iran’s radical supreme leaders. He supported Ayatollah Khomeini in France as a member of the ayatollah’s personal entourage. His history of being in cahoots with the radical leadership of the nation for over two decades is one indication that Rowhani doesn’t harbor the “moderate” mindset many are hoping for.

Another indication that moderation is not something to expect from Hasan Rowhani is the fact that he is a cleric. As such, religious beliefs and ideologies will play a large part in his decision-making and policies for the nation. Outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is not a cleric, so he did not always meekly follow the wishes of the ayatollah. Although a religious man, Ahmadinejad didn’t have the deep spiritual influence that is expected in an Islamic cleric. Now Iran has a cleric as president who is tied to the ayatollah, sharing the same religious background.

Aside from a close friendship with radical Islamic extremists, Rowhani has a history with Iran’s nuclear operations that is far from moderate. From 1989 to 2005, Mr. Rowhani was the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. He is also the ayatollah’s representative on the council. Among other things, this council decides the course of the country’s nuclear program and other military decisions. Do you recall those years as being particularly moderate? Were there any sweeping changes to the Iranian regime? Some would argue yes, pointing to nuclear negotiations in 2003 under Rowhani. From 2003 to 2005, Rowhani was the chief nuclear negotiator in Iran. In 2003, he negotiated a deal with the United Nations to suspend uranium enrichment. Finally a breakthrough? Alas, the enrichment didn’t stop. In fact, under the pretense of being willing to compromise—being “moderate”—Iran was able to advance its nuclear capability while remaining free of more sanctions. Rowhani was aware of the success of his nuclear negotiations, and proud of it. In 2006, he bragged that “by creating a calm environment, we were able to complete the work on Isfahan [a nuclear enrichment facility].”

In the past, he has used the guise of being a “moderate,” willing to negotiate and make deals with the international community. The world was fooled by Rowhani once. Will it happen again?

If careful scrutiny was paid to the new president’s history, the overwhelming picture would be one that is far from moderate. People would see that he is not the reformist that so many have hoped for.

Iran’s new president is an important man to watch, not simply because of the power he now has as leader of a belligerent government, but because Iran is prophesied to push another power to the point of sparking World War iii (Daniel 11:40). That war will be upon us soon. But be ready to see the conflict lead not to a worldwide caliphate, but to the return of Jesus Christ, who will put an end to the governments of man and establish His rule forever.

For more on Iran’s role in the terrible buildup to World War iii, read The King of the South.