In the first formal session of the new City Council of Tehran, Najafi was chosen as the mayor by garnering the votes of all 21 councilors.
Najafi, 66, is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Affiliated with the ‘reformist’ political party, Najafi used to serve as the Minister of Education and the Minister of Culture in various administrations.
He also took the helm at Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) during President Rouhani’s first term, but resigned after six months.
Najafi has succeeded Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf who was in office for 12 years.