Three-minute read
On Tuesday, August 20, the Iranian regime parliament concluded its fourth day of intense vetting for the cabinet nominees of new president Masoud Pezeshkian. The session, which scrutinized key ministries such as Industry, Culture, and Interior, has revealed the extent to which the clerical regime’s Supreme Leader Khamenei is using his surrogates in the Majlis to shape the composition of the new government. His objective is unmistakable: to ensure Pezeshkian’s cabinet is purged of any elements that might challenge his authority and are fully aligned with his hardline agenda.
From the outset, it was evident that Khamenei’s influence was the driving force behind the vetting process. Masoud Pezeshkian openly admitted, “None of the proposed ministers were introduced to Parliament without consulting the highest levels of the country.”
This tight control was also evident when Mohammad Atabak, the nominee for Minister of Industry mimicked his peers before him and declared himself a “soldier of the Supreme Leader.” Atabak emphasized that his plans for the ministry were “in line with the general policies of the state and the Seventh Development Plan,” committing to “neutralize the impacts of the sanctions.”
Infighting and Rivalry
During the vetting of Abbas Salehi, the nominee for Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, the session descended into chaos when pamphlets accusing Salehi of mishandling a critical security case involving regime insiders were circulated among MPs. These pamphlets detailed Salehi’s actions as head of intelligence in Khuzestan, where he allegedly punished loyal regime members through forced confessions and severe mistreatment. The distribution of these pamphlets sparked outrage, prompting Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to condemn the act as illegal and in violation of parliamentary procedures.
Vetting MPs and Ministerial Nominees Vie to Prove Loyalty to Khamenei Amid #Iran’s Domestic and International Criseshttps://t.co/pDAAesUMgq
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 18, 2024
Ghalibaf’s critical reaction ignited a heated verbal exchange among MPs, with some lawmakers storming the podium to confront the Speaker and each other. The argument became so intense that it disrupted the session, forcing Salehi to pause his defense. Salehi, clearly agitated by the turmoil, decried the situation, saying, “In this atmosphere, it’s impossible to speak properly.” Despite Ghalibaf’s attempts to restore order, the session continued to be marked by sharp exchanges and accusations, reflecting the deep-seated rivalries and mistrust within the regime.
Adding to the tension, Salehi was further criticized for his controversial remarks about the 2009 election fraud allegations. He had previously questioned, “If it was predetermined who would win, why mock the people and impose such a heavy cost on the system?” These statements, coupled with allegations that Salehi had threatened other MPs with “consequences” if they did not support his nomination, intensified the opposition against him. The incident highlighted the fierce infighting among regime factions, as they use the vetting process to undermine rivals and solidify their own power, all while Khamenei tries to maintain a firm grip on the government’s formation.
Furthermore, MP Ali Khezrian took a harsh stance against Hussein Simayi Sarraf, the nominee for Minister of Science, Research, and Technology. Khezrian criticized Simayi Sarraf for his past affiliations and actions, specifically targeting his involvement as a legal advisor during the contentious 2009 election aftermath. Khezrian warned that “individuals who accused the state of election fraud in 2009 and have not shown remorse are unfit to hold key positions.” This statement was a direct attack on Simayi Sarraf’s loyalty, further demonstrating the rivalry as factions continue to weaponize past controversies to discredit each other during the vetting process.
#Iranian Regime’s Parliament Clashes with Pezeshkian over Cabinet Pickshttps://t.co/WZEy7Tfm50
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 17, 2024
Amidst the political maneuvering, some nominees were forced to confront the harsh realities facing the country, which they could not even ignore. Hossein Simayi Sarraf, the nominee for Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, gave a sobering account of the dire state of Iran’s educational institutions. “The state of our universities is far from well; according to a recent study, 30% of students are in need of mental health services,” he admitted.
Similarly, during the vetting of Abbas Salehi, the nominee for Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, MPs focused not on his qualifications but on his perceived loyalty to the regime’s ideological tenets, particularly the enforcement of “chastity and hijab” laws. “The primary concern for the Ministry of Culture must be the strict enforcement of ‘chastity and hijab’ regulations,” one MP insisted.
The parliamentary vetting process has revealed a regime in turmoil, deeply divided by infighting and struggling to maintain its grip on power. Khamenei’s tight control over the cabinet formation, coupled with the bitter rivalries among his loyalists, underscores the fragility of his rule. Despite the recent death of Ebrahim Raisi, Khamenei is determined to push through a purged and compliant government, exposing just how vulnerable his regime has become in the face of mounting domestic and international challenges.
Internal Rifts Deepen in Iran as #Pezeshkian’s Cabinet Faces Backlash from All Sideshttps://t.co/E8yVtdIS9U
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 16, 2024
The untouchables
During the vetting process, certain proposed ministers were effectively untouchable due to the explicit backing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which deterred MPs from challenging their nominations. Abbas Amir Faree, a political activist from the principlist faction, remarked that the parliament, “thanks to the Supreme Leader’s guidance, is fully cooperating, especially with those ministers who have received his endorsement.” He specifically noted that the nominees for key ministries such as Interior, Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, and Defense were certain to receive overwhelming support due to Khamenei’s approval. Even the nominee for Education, closely associated with a high-ranking IRGC commander, faced no opposition, with MPs acknowledging his religious credentials and loyalty to the regime. Faree contrasted this with the expected rejection of other nominees, like the candidate for Minister of Oil, who lacked such backing and was criticized for his ties to former officials deemed less favorable by the Supreme Leader.