Cabinet of Iran

Islamic Republic of Iran
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The Cabinet of Iran (Persian: هیئت‌دولت ایران‎) is a formal body composed of government officials, ministers, chosen and led by a President. Its composition must be approved by a vote in the Parliament. According to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the President may dismiss members of the cabinet, but must do so in writing, and new appointees must again be approved by the Parliament. The cabinet meets weekly on Saturdays in Tehran. There may be additional meetings if circumstances require it. The president chairs the meetings.

History

From 1699 until 1907 the Iranian cabinet was led by Premiers who were appointed by the Shah of Iran.

The Persian Constitutional Revolution of 1905 led to the creation of the Persian Constitution of 1906 and the establishment of the Iranian parliament, whose members were elected from the general population. The position of premier was abolished and replaced by the Prime Minister of Iran. The constitution stipulated that all Prime Minister must be subject to a vote in parliament for both approval and removal.

During the period 1907 to 1951 all Prime Ministers were selected by the Shah and subject to a vote-of-confidence by the Iranian Parliament. From 1951 to 1953, the members of parliament elected the Prime Minister among themselves (the head of the party holding the majority of seats), through a vote-of-confidence. The Shah, as the head of state, then appointed the parliament's selection to the position of Prime Minister, in accordance with the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy. Following the removal of Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh via the 1953 Iranian coup d'état, this practice was abolished and the selection of Prime Minister reverted to the process in effect before 1951.

President Rouhani chairs a cabinet meeting, 1 October 2015

Following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the position of Shah was removed as the head of state, effectively ending Iran's history of monarchy. Iran's new Islamic constitution stipulated that the President of Iran would nominate the Iranian cabinet, including the Prime Minister, which was to be approved by a vote-of-confidence in the Iranian parliament. The constitutional amendment of 1989 effectively ended the position of Prime Minister and transferred its powers to that of the president and vice president.

2009 appointments

President Ahmadinejad announced controversial ministerial appointments for his second term. Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei was briefly appointed as first vice president, but opposed by a number of Majlis members and by the intelligence minister, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i. Mashaei followed orders to resign. Ahmadinejad then appointed Mashaei as chief of staff, and fired Mohseni-Eje'i.[1]

On 26 July 2009, Ahmadinejad's government faced a legal problem after he sacked four ministers. Iran's constitution (Article 136) stipulates that, if more than half of its members are replaced, the cabinet may not meet or act before the Majlis approves the revised membership.[2] The Vice Chairman of the Majlis announced that no cabinet meetings or decisions would be legal, pending such a reapproval.[3]

The main list of 21 cabinet appointments was announced on 19 August 2009.[4] On 4 September, Parliament of Iran approved 18 of the 21 candidates and rejected three of them, including two women. Sousan Keshavarz, Mohammad Aliabadi, and Fatemeh Ajorlou were not approved by Parliament for the Ministries of Education, Energy, and Welfare and Social Security respectively.[5] Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi won approval as health minister, making her Iran's first woman minister since the Islamic revolution.[6] President Ahmadinejad announced controversial ministerial appointments for his second term. Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei was briefly appointed as first vice president, but opposed by a number of Majlis members and by the intelligence minister, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i. Mashaei followed orders to resign. Ahmadinejad then appointed Mashaei as chief of staff, and fired Mohseni-Eje'i.[7]

On 26 July 2009, Ahmadinejad's government faced a legal problem after he sacked four ministers. Iran's constitution (Article 136) stipulates that, if more than half of its members are replaced, the cabinet may not meet or act before the Majlis approves the revised membership.[8] The Vice Chairman of the Majlis announced that no cabinet meetings or decisions would be legal, pending such a reapproval.[9]

The main list of 21 cabinet appointments was announced on 19 August 2009.[10] On 4 September, Parliament of Iran approved 18 of the 21 candidates and rejected three of them, including two women. Sousan Keshavarz, Mohammad Aliabadi, and Fatemeh Ajorlou were not approved by Parliament for the Ministries of Education, Energy, and Welfare and Social Security respectively.[11] Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi won approval as health minister, making her Iran's first woman minister since the Islamic revolution.[12]

2011 merges and dismissals

On 9 May, Ahmedinejad announced Ministries of Petroleum and Energy would merge, as would Industries and Mines with Commerce, and Welfare with Labour. On 13 May, he dismissed Masoud Mir-Kazemi (Minister of Petroleum), Ali Akbar Mehrabian (Minister Industry and Mines) and Sadegh Mahsouli (Minister of Welfare). On 15 May, he was announced he would be caretaker minister of the Petroleum Ministry.[13]

From August 2009 to February 2013, a total of nine ministers in the cabinet was dismissed by the Majlis, the last of who was labor minister, Reza Sheykholeslam at the beginning of February 2013.[14] On 9 May, Ahmedinejad announced Ministries of Petroleum and Energy would merge, as would Industries and Mines with Commerce, and Welfare with Labour. On 13 May, he dismissed Masoud Mir-Kazemi (Minister of Petroleum), Ali Akbar Mehrabian (Minister Industry and Mines) and Sadegh Mahsouli (Minister of Welfare). On 15 May, he was announced he would be caretaker minister of the Petroleum Ministry.[15]

From August 2009 to February 2013, a total of nine ministers in the cabinet was dismissed by the Majlis, the last of who was labor minister, Reza Sheykholeslam at the beginning of February 2013.[16]

Rouhani's cabinet

Hassan Rouhani was elected as President of Iran in 2013 presidential election and took office on 3 August 2013. He nominated his coalition cabinet members to the parliament for vote of confidence on the next day. 15 out of 18 designated ministers was confirmed by the parliament.

Current cabinet members

Office Incumbent Party (Affiliation) Since
Presidency
PresidentHassan Rouhani Moderation and Development Party 3 August 2013
First Vice PresidentEshaq Jahangiri Executives of Construction Party (R) 4 August 2013
Chief of StaffMahmoud Vaezi Moderation and Development Party 20 August 2017
Ministers
AgriculturalMahmoud Hojjati Islamic Iran Participation Front (R) 15 August 2013
CommunicationMohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi Independent 20 August 2017
LabourVacant 8 August 2018
CultureAbbas Salehi Independent 20 August 2017
DefenseAmir Hatami Independent 20 August 2017
FinanceVacant 26 August 2018
EducationMohammad Bathaei Independent 20 August 2017
EnergyReza Ardakanian Independent Reformist 29 October 2017
Foreign AffairsMohammad Javad Zarif Independent 15 August 2013
HealthHassan Hashemi Independent 15 August 2013
BusinessMohammad Shariatmadari Independent Reformist 20 August 2017
IntelligenceMahmoud Alavi Resistance Front of Islamic Iran (P) 15 August 2013
InteriorAbdolreza Rahmani Fazli Independent Principlist 15 August 2013
JusticeAlireza Avayi Independent Principlist 20 August 2017
PetroleumBijan Namdar Zanganeh Executives of Construction Party (R) 15 August 2013
ScienceMansour Gholami Independent 29 October 2017
TransportationAbbas Ahmad Akhondi Independent Reformist 15 August 2013
SportsMasoud Soltanifar Moderation and Development Party 1 November 2016
Vice Presidents
Atomic EnergyAli Akbar Salehi Independent 16 August 2013
Cultural Heritage and TourismAli Asghar Monesan Moderation and Development Party 13 August 2017
Environmental ProtectionIsa Kalantari Independent Reformist 13 August 2017
LegalLaya Joneydi Independent 9 August 2017
Martyrs and VeteransMohammad-Ali Shahidi Independent 5 September 2013
ParliamentaryHossein Ali Amiri Independent 12 July 2016
National ElitesSorena Sattari Independent 5 October 2013
Supervision and StrategicMohammad Bagher Nobakht Moderation and Development Party 1 September 2013
Women and Family AffairsMasoumeh Ebtekar Islamic Iran Participation Front (R) 9 August 2017
Administrative and Employment AffairsJamshid Ansari Independent Reformist 2 August 2016
Economic AffairsMohammad Nahavandian Islamic Coalition Party (P) 20 August 2017

See also

Iranian governments after 1979 revolution

References

  1. ↑ Daragahi, Borzou; Mostaghim, Ramin (27 July 2009). "Iranian president fires two top officials; 2 more protesters reportedly killed". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  2. ↑ Deshmukh, Jay (26 July 2009). "Ahmadinejad 'sacks four Iran ministers'". AFP. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "باهنر: جلسات دولت نهم از این پس غیرقانونی است". Aftabnews (in Persian). 26 July 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "Ahmadinejad unveils new cabinet". Khabar online. Press TV. 19 August 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "Iran backs first woman minister". BBC News. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  6. ↑ Borger, Julian (3 September 2009). "Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's cabinet includes female minister and man wanted over terror attack". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  7. ↑ Daragahi, Borzou; Mostaghim, Ramin (27 July 2009). "Iranian president fires two top officials; 2 more protesters reportedly killed". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  8. ↑ Deshmukh, Jay (26 July 2009). "Ahmadinejad 'sacks four Iran ministers'". AFP. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "باهنر: جلسات دولت نهم از این پس غیرقانونی است". Aftabnews (in Persian). 26 July 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  10. ↑ "Ahmadinejad unveils new cabinet". Khabar online. Press TV. 19 August 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  11. ↑ "Iran backs first woman minister". BBC News. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  12. ↑ Borger, Julian (3 September 2009). "Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's cabinet includes female minister and man wanted over terror attack". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  13. ↑ Nasseri, Ladane (15 May 2011). "Ahmadinejad to Run Iran's Oil Ministry After Minister Dismissed". Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Bloomberg News. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  14. ↑ Rezaian, Jason (3 February 2013). "Iran's parliament dismisses another Ahmadinejad minister". Tehran: Washington Post. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  15. ↑ Nasseri, Ladane (15 May 2011). "Ahmadinejad to Run Iran's Oil Ministry After Minister Dismissed". Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Bloomberg News. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  16. ↑ Rezaian, Jason (3 February 2013). "Iran's parliament dismisses another Ahmadinejad minister". Tehran: Washington Post. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
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