Background
Khalilian was born in Ahvaz in the Khouzaestan province in 1959.
Khalilian was born in Ahvaz in the Khouzaestan province in 1959.
He received a Doctor of Philosophy in agricultural economy from Tarbiat Modares University in 1996.
He holds a bachelor"s degree from Ahvaz University. In 1990, he began to work at Tarbiat Modares University"s faculty of agriculture as a faculty member. From 1998 to 2000, he served at different administrative positions at the university.
Then he served as deputy agriculture minister until 2009.
After the presidential elections in 2009, Ahmedinejad nominated Khalilian as agriculture minister. He was approved by the Majlis on 3 September 2009.
Khalilian registered for the 2013 presidential election, but he withdrew his candidacy on 14 May.
During his studies, he was a member of the Islamic Association of Students. Khalilian became a member of the Revolutionary Committees and IRGC after graduation.