Iran’s parliament approves Pezeshkian’s unity cabinet

Iran’s parliament officially approved President Masoud Pezeshkian‘s 19-member cabinet on Wednesday, marking the formation of a cross-factional government aimed at fostering national unity.

The approval follows days of intense debate and discussions among Iranian lawmakers.

Pezeshkian’s vision for unity and solidarity

President Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of unity in his address to the 285 parliamentarians who participated in the vote of confidence. “The road to our salvation is unity and solidarity,” he stated, highlighting the consensus-driven nature of his administration.

In contrast to the hardline approach of former President Ebrahim Raisi’s administration, Pezeshkian’s cabinet includes several reformist figures. Among them is Health Minister Mohammadreza Zafarqandi, who secured his position with 163 votes, the lowest among the cabinet members.

“I will consider parliament’s pieces of advice on my decisions,” Pezeshkian said.

All 19 officials won approval in an afternoon vote, the first time that has happened in Iran since 2001.

Key ministerial appointments

• Farzaneh Sadeq, minister of roads and transportation: Sadeq’s approval makes her the second female cabinet minister since the Islamic Republic’s establishment in 1979.

• Minister of Oil Mohsen Paknejad: Paknejad, who served as deputy minister of oil from 2018 to 2021, pledged to prioritize joint oil field projects with neighboring countries and increase Iran’s oil output to 4 million barrels per day by March 2025.
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araqchi: Araqchi, a key figure in the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers, was approved with 247 votes. He reassured parliamentarians of his continued commitment to Iran’s nuclear policy and emphasized the importance of good neighborly relations and sanctions negotiations.

• Alireza Kazemi for Ministry of Education
• Sattar Hashemi for Ministry of Communication & Information Technology
• Seyyed Esmaeil Khatib for the Ministry of Intelligence
• Abdolnaser Hemmati Ehsan Khandouzi for Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance
• Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi for Ministry of Health and Medical Education
• Ahmad Meydari for the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare
• Gholamreza Nouri Ghezelcheh for Ministry of Agriculture Jihad
• Amin Hossein Rahmi for Ministry of Justice
• Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh for the Ministry of Defense
• Mohammad Atabak for Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade
• Hossein Simaei Sarraf for Ministry of Science, Research and Technologyvotes
• Seyyed Abbas Salehi for Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
• Eskandar Momeni for Ministry of Interior
• Mohammad Reza Salehi Amiri for Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts
• Abbas Aliabadi for the Ministry of Energy
• Ahmad Donyamali for the Ministry of Sport and Youth

Continuity and change in Iran’s foreign policy

Araqchi reiterated Iran’s focus on fostering relationships with China, Russia, Africa, Latin America, and East Asia. He noted that Europe could become a priority if it changes its “hostile behavior,” while relations with the United States would be guided by “conflict management.”