Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Former Iranian President Rafsanjani Dies at Age of 82 Iranian news reports say former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has died. Rajsanjani, 82, had been hospitalized earlier Sunday due to a heart condition, according Iran's official news agency. Rafsanjani, who served as president from 1989 to 1997, is currently head of the Expediency Council, a body that advises Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.