Following his inauguration, Masoud Pezeshkian introduced several members of his cabinet to the regime’s parliament. A closer look at the individuals he has chosen reveals a troubling pattern: many of them have been involved in corruption cases. This is particularly alarming given Pezeshkian’s promises to improve the country’s economy and the people’s livelihood.
Controversial Appointments
Shahram Dabiri Oskuei
Shahram Dabiri Oskuei has been appointed as the Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs. Previously, Dabiri served as a professor at Tabriz University and was a member of the Tabriz City Council as well as the Supreme Council of Provinces. However, his past is marred by corruption allegations.
On June 2, 2020, the state-run news agency IRNA reported that Dabiri was arrested by the intelligence service of the Ashura Corps on charges of financial corruption while he was the head of the Tabriz City Council. This arrest was part of a series of corruption cases involving the Tabriz council and municipality. In 2018, 12 members of the Tabriz City Council and Municipality were convicted of economic corruption.
Further complicating Dabiri’s record, on October 27, 2016, the governor of Tabriz announced his conviction in a case involving foreign travel and the misuse of municipal budget funds. Despite these serious allegations, Dabiri has now been appointed as Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs, a move that has sparked significant backlash. Some MPs expressed surprise at his appointment, given his controversial history. Dabiri is also noted as the director and founder of several companies and sports clubs.
Hamid Pourmohammadi
Hamid Pourmohammadi, another figure with a tainted past, has been introduced as the deputy head of the program and budget organization. In early November 2011, Pourmohammadi was implicated in the notorious “three trillion tomans” embezzlement case and was detained for some time before being released on bail at the end of December 2011. This case, which was the largest corruption scandal in Iran’s history at the time, involved seven banks and several government officials, including Pourmohammadi, and caused significant political controversy.
During the investigation, Mehafarid Khosravi, the main shareholder of Aria Bank, was executed, and Mahmoudreza Khavari, the former CEO of National Bank, fled to Canada. Despite these serious charges, Pourmohammadi has held various significant positions, including roles in the Ministry of Economy and the Organization of Planning and Budget. He also served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s administration, starting in September 2009.
Ahmad Tavakkoli, the former head of the Parliament Research Center, accused Pourmohammadi of falsely claiming to hold a doctorate degree. The outcome of this case, along with several others involving Pourmohammadi, remains unresolved. Notably, Ahmadinejad fully supported Pourmohammadi, describing him as an influential figure in the country’s economic policymaking.
During Rouhani’s administration, Pourmohammadi served as the deputy of planning under Mohammad Baqer Nobakht and as the deputy of planning and strategic supervision of the president.
Implications for the Future
The appointments of Shahram Dabiri Oskuei and Hamid Pourmohammadi raise serious questions about the future of Iran’s economy and the well-being of its citizens. Both individuals have extensive records of corruption, casting doubt on their ability to contribute positively to the country’s economic recovery and the improvement of living standards. As Pezeshkian’s cabinet moves forward, the public will undoubtedly scrutinize their actions and the impact of these controversial appointments.
