President Rouhani's letter of appointment reads:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Dear Dr Hessamodin Ashena,

Based on your commitment and valuable experience, you are being appointed as "Assistant to the President and Head of Centre for Strategic Studies".

It is expected that you take advantage of opinions of experts and intellectuals in strategic affairs and cooperate with the relevant organs in providing comprehensive plans and suggestions in various political, economic, social, cultural, military and international relations fields, with regard to general polices of the government.

I wish you success in serving the country and the noble people of Iran, upholding the principles of the rule of law, moderation and code of ethics of the Administration of Prudence and Hope.

Hassan Rouhani

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Dr Ashena’s appointment was announced on Tuesday in the presence of Chief of Staff of the President, Dr Mahmoud Vaezi. Later in the ceremony, the new website of the Centre for Strategic Studies was unveiled, available at the address: www.css.ir.