Iran’s hard-line parliament has achieved a significant milestone by approving all 19 members of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian’s cabinet, marking the first time in over two decades that a leader has been able to get all of his officials through the body. This historic achievement comes after a afternoon vote, the first time this has happened in Iran since 2001. The approval of all cabinet members is a testament to the strong support for President Pezeshkian’s administration and a significant victory for his reformist policies.
One of the notable officials approved is Abbas Araghchi, 61, a career diplomat who will be Iran’s new foreign minister. Araghchi was a key member of the Iranian negotiating team that reached a nuclear deal with world powers in 2015, which capped Tehran’s nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions. This deal was hailed as a major diplomatic breakthrough, but was later undone by the Trump administration, which pulled the US out of the deal and imposed more sanctions on Iran. As foreign minister, Araghchi will likely play a key role in efforts to revive the deal.
Another notable appointment is Aziz Nasirzadeh, who will be the country’s new defence minister. Nasirzadeh received the most support from legislators, with 281 votes out of 288 present. Prior to his appointment, he served as the chief of the Iranian air force from 2018 to 2021. His new role will give him significant responsibility for Iran’s military and defence policy.
Iran’s Government Achieves Unprecedented Parliamentary Approval (Image via Getty)
The cabinet also includes Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi, who will be the new health minister. Zafarghandi received the lowest number of votes, with 163. Despite this, he is expected to play a crucial role in shaping Iran’s healthcare policy.
In a significant move, the parliament has also approved Farzaneh Sadegh, a 47-year-old architect, as the country’s new housing and road minister. Sadegh is the first female minister in Iran in over a decade, and only the second since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Her appointment marks a significant step forward for women’s representation in the Iranian government.
The approval of all cabinet members is a significant achievement for President Pezeshkian, who had promised to revitalize Iran’s economy and foreign policy during his presidential campaign. His cabinet appointments aim to strike a balance between experienced technocrats and younger, more dynamic officials. The approval of the cabinet sends a strong message about the country’s commitment to reform and stability under President Pezeshkian’s leadership.
