Breaking: Mashaei Resigns
Rahim Mashaei has resigned from his post as First Deputy to Ahmadinejad, Fars News Reports [Persian]. Ahmadinejad had resisted firing Mashaei for six days despite an order to do so from the supreme leader. Mashaei was a controversial nominee in part because he said Iran was the friend of the American and Israeli people. Samareh […]
(Updated) Ahmadinejad’s Cabinet in Turmoil as Ahmadinejad Defies Supreme Leader
Disagreements over Ahmadinejad’s decision to select Mashaei as his first deputy reportedly led to a tense meeting among Ahmadinejad’s cabinet members on Wednesday. Two ministers criticized the President for ignoring the decision of the Supreme Leader to remove Mashaei from his post. As the discussion became heated, Ahmadinejad ordered a 15 minute recess. When the meeting […]
Student Basijis Warn Ahmadinejad Over Choice of Deputy
According to BBC Persian, Basij groups in eight universities in Tehran “reacted sharply” to Ahmadinejad’s appointment of Mashaei as his first deputy. Hardline conservatives have been angered by the pick, who last year said, “Iran is a friend of the nation in the United States and in Israel.” In an open letter to Ahmadinejad, student […]
Mashaei has not resigned
Rahim Mashaei, Ahmadinejad’s controversial nominee as his first deputy, denied reports by several sources regarding his resignation. On his website, Mashaei said, “this news is a rumor and it is not more than a lie.” Last year, Mashaei was harshly criticized by conservatives for saying, “No nation in the world is our enemy, Iran is […]