The Cabinet of Iran (Persian: هیئت‌دولت ایران, Heyatedovlat-e Iran) 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. The Supreme Leader (Ali Khamenei) has the power to dismiss cabinet members like ministers and vice presidents, as well as the President, at any time, regardless of the Parliament's decisions.

History

Before 1979 Islamic Revolution

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

After 1979 Islamic Revolution

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. 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.[4] Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi won approval as health minister, making her Iran's first woman minister since the Islamic revolution.[5] 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.[6]

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.[7] The Vice Chairman of the Majlis announced that no cabinet meetings or decisions would be legal, pending such a reapproval.[8]

The main list of 21 cabinet appointments was announced on 19 August 2009. 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.[9] Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi won approval as health minister, making her Iran's first woman minister since the Islamic revolution.[10]

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.[11]

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.[12] 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 were dismissed by the Majlis, the last of who was labor minister, Reza Sheykholeslam at the beginning of February 2013.[14]

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 were confirmed by the parliament.

Current cabinet members

Office Incumbent Party (Affiliation) Since
Presidency
PresidentEbrahim Raisi Combatant Clergy Association 3 August 2021
First Vice PresidentMohammad Mokhber Independent 8 August 2021
Chief of StaffGholam-Hossein Esmaeili Independent 8 August 2021
Ministers
AgriculturalMohammad Ali Nikbakht Independent 20 June 2023
Business (Industry, Mine and Trade)Abbas Aliabadi Independent 13 June 2023
CommunicationIssa Zarepour Independent 25 August 2021
Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Ezzatollah Zarghami Popular Front of Islamic Revolution Forces 25 August 2021
Culture and Islamic GuidanceMohammad Mehdi Esmaili Islamic Iran Academics Association 25 August 2021
Defence and Armed Forces LogisticsMohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani Independent 25 August 2021
EducationRezamorad Sahraei Independent 3 April 2023
EnergyAli Akbar Mehrabian Independent 25 August 2021
FinanceEhsan Khandozi Coalition Council of Islamic Revolution Forces 25 August 2021
Foreign AffairsHossein Amir-Abdollahian Independent 25 August 2021
HealthBahram Eynollahi Independent 25 August 2021
IntelligenceEsmaeil Khatib Independent 25 August 2021
InteriorAhmad Vahidi Independent 25 August 2021
JusticeAmin Hossein Rahimi Independent 25 August 2021
LabourSowlat Mortazavi Society of Devotees of the Islamic Revolution 19 October 2022
PetroleumJavad Owji Independent 25 August 2021
Science, Research and TechnologyMohammad Ali Zolfigol Independent 25 August 2021
SportsKioumars Hashemi Independent 18 September 2023
TransportationMehrdad Bazrpash Independent 7 December 2022
Vice Presidents
Atomic EnergyMohammad Eslami Independent 29 August 2021
Administrative and Recruitment Affairs OrganizationMeysam Latifi Independent 5 September 2021
Assistant to the President of Iran for Economic Affairs Farhad Rahbar Independent 5 September 2021
Central Bank Chancellor Mohammad-Reza Farzin Independent 29 December 2022
Department of EnvironmentAli Salajegheh Independent 3 October 2021
Economic AffairsVacant
Legal AffairsMohammad Dehghan Independent 1 September 2021
Martyrs and VeteransAmir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi Independent 12 September 2021
National Elites FoundationRuhollah Dehghani Firouz Abadi Independent 2 November 2022
ParliamentaryMohammad Hosseini Islamic Iran Academics Association 20 August 2021
Plan and Budget OrganizationDavoud Manzour Independent 16 April 2023
Presidential Administration and Executive AffairsMohsen Mansouri Independent 1 November 2022
Women and Family AffairsEnsieh Khazali Independent 1 September 2021
    * Acting

    List of Iranian governments

    Iranian governments after 1979 revolution

    See also

    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. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
    4. ↑ "Iran backs first woman minister". BBC News. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
    5. ↑ Borger, Julian (3 September 2009). "Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's cabinet includes female minister and man wanted over terror attack". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
    6. ↑ 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.
    7. ↑ Deshmukh, Jay (26 July 2009). "Ahmadinejad 'sacks four Iran ministers'". AFP. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
    8. ↑ "باهنر: جلسات دولت نهم از این پس غیرقانونی است". Aftabnews (in Persian). 26 July 2009. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
    9. ↑ "Iran backs first woman minister". BBC News. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
    10. ↑ Borger, Julian (3 September 2009). "Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's cabinet includes female minister and man wanted over terror attack". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
    11. ↑ 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.
    12. ↑ Rezaian, Jason (3 February 2013). "Iran's parliament dismisses another Ahmadinejad minister". Washington Post. Tehran. 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". The Washington Post. Tehran. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
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