of expression." Additionally Larijani has been the director of Institute for Studies in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics in Tehran. Previously, he was a Majlis representative and the director of Majlis Research Center. He served as deputy minister of foreign affairs in the 1980s. Views In a 2010 NBC News interview, Larijani defended the arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh, an Iranian feminist activist, and a prominent human rights lawyer. Sotoudeh was detained in September and faces trial for "collusion against national security" and "spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic.". Larijani told NBC News that Iranian authorities believed that she was engaged "in a very nasty campaign" against Iran's national security. Nasrin Sotoudeh works for Shirin Ebadi's law firm. Shirin Ebadi is the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. In November 2011, Larijani claimed that nuclear weapons violate Islam. In response to the Mahsa Amini protests, Larijani said on Iranian broadcast Channel 3 (Iran) which has been translated by MEMRI, "[Mahsa Amini] was detained by the police, and she was in a classroom when she suddenly collapsed. The police were enforcing the limitation on public nudity. You may call it 'hijab,' modesty, or whatever, but in all countries – without exception – there are limits on public nudity." Controversies Views on capital punishment for narcotic offenses Larijani has praised Iranian Judiciary for capital punishment of narcotic offenses. He has stated that the world should learn from Iran on this matter. Views on Obama Larijani has stated on Barack Obama that "Since Obama came to office he spoke of dialogue with Iran, What has happened that this black "kaka" is talking about regime change in Iran". This statement was widely condemned by many Iranian politicians. References External links Larijani's information page at Institute for Studies in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics 1951 births Living people Sharif University of Technology alumni Members of the 2nd Islamic Consultative Assembly Iranian Vice Ministers Iranian expatriates in Iraq Members of the 4th Islamic Consultative Assembly Members of the 5th Islamic Consultative Assembly People from Amol Academic staff of the Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences