Hossein Shariatmadari, the influential editor-in-chief of Iran's hardline newspaper Keyhan, has called on President Masoud Pezeshkian to revise his statement regarding the appointment of ministers.
In an article published on Thursday, Shariatmadari addressed President Pezeshkian directly, urging him to correct his assertion that the selection of all ministers was "coordinated" with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The editor argued that the statement provided material for the Islamic Republic's critics to question the role of parliament in Iran.
Shariatmadari wrote, "This claim of his immediately became a pretext for the enemies to undermine democracy and the position of the parliament and even the powers of the president in the Islamic Republic of Iran."
He emphasized that while the parliament has approved all of Pezeshkian's proposed ministers, the president's statements about coordination with the Supreme Leader have been "widely welcomed by sworn enemies" of the Islamic Republic.
Shariatmadari's comments come in response to President Pezeshkian's remarks during the parliamentary session for ministerial approvals.
He made explicit references to the Supreme Leader's involvement in certain appointments.
Regarding the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Pezeshkian said, "I asked him to join, but he didn’t respond until he [Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei] ordered him to do so over the phone.”
“I presented the list to him [Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei], and he specifically insisted that Mrs. Sadegh be included – don’t push me to reveal more,” Pezeshkian added.
Farzaneh Sadegh, Pezeshkian’s pick for the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, is the only female candidate nominated for a ministerial position in his administration.
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