The office of President was established as a result of an amendment to the Society’s constitution in 1996. In its first 30 years (1967-1997), the Society's highest officer was its "Executive Secretary," later called "Executive Director," who was elected by the Council along with Treasurer and Editor of Iranian Studies.
- Naghmeh Sohrabi (2020-2022)
- Camron Michael Amin (2018-2020)
- Touraj Daryaee (2017-2018)
- Touraj Atabaki (2014-2016)
- Mehrzad Boroujerdi (2013-2014)
- Houchang Esfandiar Chehabi (2011-2012)
- Mohammad Tavakoli-Targhi (2009-2010)
- Nasrin Rahimieh (2007-2008)
- Janet Afary (2005-2006)
- Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak (2004)
- Shahrough Akhavi (2003)
- Richard N. Frye (2002)
- Ahmad Ashraf (2001)
- William L. Hanaway (2000)
- Farhad Kazemi (1999)
- Ali Banuazizi (1998)
- Ehsan Yarshater (1997)