Iranian President Sacks VP Over Lavish Vacation

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has dismissed his Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs, Shahram Dabiri, following public outrage sparked by a viral photo showing the official enjoying a lavish vacation in Antarctica.

The controversial image, which quickly spread across social media, captured Dabiri and a woman believed to be his wife standing near the luxurious Plancius cruise ship — a vessel known for offering high-cost tours to one of the most remote parts of the world.

The fallout comes at a particularly sensitive time for Iran, as the country grapples with a deepening economic crisis, runaway inflation, and a rapidly depreciating currency. For many Iranians struggling to afford basic goods, the idea of a top government official indulging in a luxury getaway was seen as a gross display of insensitivity.

Dabiri, a 64-year-old medical doctor who was appointed in August 2024, had been considered one of President Pezeshkian’s close allies. However, the backlash was swift and unforgiving. While sources from his office reportedly claimed the trip took place before he assumed office, the timing of the photo’s circulation proved damaging enough to force the president to act.

This scandal marks yet another setback for Pezeshkian’s administration. Just last month, his economy minister was ousted by lawmakers following the Iranian rial’s dramatic plunge and growing public dissatisfaction with the rising cost of living.

Pezeshkian, who came into power promising economic revival and improved livelihoods, now faces mounting pressure to restore public confidence as frustration simmers across the country. The removal of Dabiri may be seen as an attempt to show accountability, but critics argue it reflects deeper issues within the leadership.

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