{"id":323395,"date":"2024-08-20T22:21:41","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T21:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=323395"},"modified":"2024-08-21T13:08:35","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T12:08:35","slug":"vetting-pezeshkians-cabinet-in-iran-exposes-khameneis-grip-and-regime-strife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/iranian-regime-infighting\/vetting-pezeshkians-cabinet-in-iran-exposes-khameneis-grip-and-regime-strife\/","title":{"rendered":"Vetting Pezeshkian\u2019s Cabinet in Iran Exposes Khamenei\u2019s Grip and Regime Strife"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FILE PHOTO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Three-minute read<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

On Tuesday, August 20, the Iranian regime parliament concluded its fourth day of intense vetting for the cabinet nominees of new president Masoud Pezeshkian<\/a>. The session, which scrutinized key ministries such as Industry, Culture, and Interior, has revealed the extent to which the clerical regime\u2019s Supreme Leader Khamenei is using his surrogates in the Majlis<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

From the outset, it was evident that Khamenei\u2019s influence was the driving force behind the vetting process. Masoud Pezeshkian openly admitted<\/a>, “None of the proposed ministers were introduced to Parliament without consulting the highest levels of the country.”<\/p>\n

This tight control was also evident when Mohammad Atabak<\/a>, 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 \u201cneutralize the impacts of the sanctions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Infighting and Rivalry<\/h3>\n

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<\/a> of mishandling a critical security case involving regime insiders were circulated among MPs. These pamphlets detailed Salehi\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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Vetting MPs and Ministerial Nominees Vie to Prove Loyalty to Khamenei Amid #Iran<\/a>\u2019s Domestic and International Criseshttps:\/\/t.co\/pDAAesUMgq<\/a><\/p>\n

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 18, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n