- Iran President Pezeshkian Sacks Deputy Over Lavish Trip.
- Public anger rises as economic crisis deepens across the country.
- Pezeshkian struggles to maintain credibility after multiple setbacks.
Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Saturday dismissed his deputy for parliamentary affairs, Shahram Dabiri, over a controversial luxury trip to Antarctica, amid growing public anger and economic hardship across the country.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that a photograph showing Dabiri and a woman identified as his wife near the Plancius cruise ship, known for its upscale Antarctic expeditions, recently made rounds on social media, sparking outrage. The Dutch-flagged vessel has offered luxury trips since 2009, with an eight-day package priced at around 3,885 euros per person.
In a letter published by Iran’s official IRNA news agency, Pezeshkian condemned the trip, stressing that such extravagance by government officials was unacceptable at a time when the population is grappling with severe hyperinflation and economic pressure.
“Expensive leisure trips by officials, even if paid out of their own pocket, are neither defensible nor justifiable,” the president stated, announcing Dabiri’s immediate dismissal.
Dabiri, 64, a physician and long-time ally of Pezeshkian, was appointed to the role in August. His removal follows mounting calls from Pezeshkian’s own supporters, who viewed the incident as a betrayal of public trust.
Sources from Dabiri’s office reportedly told IRNA that the trip occurred before he took office. However, the explanation did little to ease public outrage, as many Iranians continue to suffer under crushing inflation and a plunging national currency.
This marks another political blow for Pezeshkian, who campaigned on promises to revive Iran’s battered economy and improve citizens’ living standards. Just last month, the president’s Economy Minister, Abdolnasser Hemmati, was removed by parliament following a sharp depreciation of the rial against the US dollar and rising inflation rates.
Pezeshkian’s government now faces the critical challenge of restoring public confidence as economic conditions worsen and political tensions rise.
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