Mohammad Reza Aref: The Return of a Reformist

Newly inaugurated Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has appointed Mohammad Reza Aref as his First Vice President.

The announcement came just an hour after the conclusion of the presidential inauguration ceremony.

Aref's political career began as the president of Tehran University, and he has since been a contender for high-ranking positions in both the legislative and executive branches of the government.

Despite previous aspirations for higher office, including runs for the speakership of the parliament and the presidency itself, Aref now assumes the second-highest executive position in the country.

Aref has been a subject of public interest due to several key moments in his political career.

These include his notable silence during his tenure in the 10th parliament, his decision to withdraw from the 11th presidential race, and a memorable emotional moment during Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's Friday prayer sermon on July 19, 2009.

The First VP of the Islamic Republic

The position of the first vice president was introduced to the executive branch after the constitutional amendment in 1989.

Originally, the president had the power to choose the prime minister.

Following the election and parliamentary approval of the prime minister, this individual was responsible for forming the cabinet, appointing ministers, and managing the government.

The president handled international relations and interactions with other branches of government.

After the amendment, the prime minister's role was eliminated, transferring the cabinet appointment authority to the president, thus elevating the significance of the first vice president.

Hassan Habibi: The First Vice President

Hassan Habibi was the first person to hold the position of first vice president in the Islamic Republic, serving for 12 years under Presidents Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami.

A law graduate from Sorbonne University, Habibi contributed to drafting the constitution of the Islamic Republic.

He served in various capacities, including as the Minister of Guidance, Science, and Higher Education in Mehdi Bazargan's administration, and as the Minister of Justice in Mir Hossein Mousavi's cabinet.

Mohammad Reza Aref: Transforming the Role

Following Habibi, Mohammad Reza Aref served as the first vice president under Mohammad Khatami for four years.

During Khatami's presidency, the ceremonial protocols in Iran evolved, elevating the first vice president to a rank equivalent to that of a prime minister.

Consequently, the first vice president began hosting the prime ministers of various countries visiting Iran.

Parviz Davoudi: An Outsider in Ahmadinejad's Circle

Parviz Davoudi, the third first vice president of the Islamic Republic, was an economics professor at Shahid Beheshti University and a former student in the United States.

He served as the economic deputy of the judiciary during the tenure of Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi.

Although Davoudi was not a member of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's inner circle, he was appointed to the position at Shahroudi's request.

However, he later distanced himself from Ahmadinejad, joining 42 other cabinet members in a statement against him in 2017.

Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei: A Controversial Figure

Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, Ahmadinejad's next first vice president, was a controversial figure and a close ally of the president.

Previously head of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, Mashaei faced significant criticism.

Despite this, Ahmadinejad appointed him as the first vice president after the contentious 2009 election.

However, following direct intervention from Ali Khamenei, Mashaei was dismissed from the role and subsequently appointed as the head of the president's office.

Mohammad Reza Rahimi: Legal Troubles

Ahmadinejad's third first vice president, Mohammad Reza Rahimi, was also controversial.

His name became associated with an embezzlement case involving the Iran Insurance Company.

Amid the investigation, Rahimi was identified as a defendant in the media.

Some conservative parliamentarians accused him of financial misconduct related to insurance and currency.

Despite Ahmadinejad and other officials defending Rahimi, he was eventually tried, convicted, and imprisoned.

Eshaq Jahangiri: A Deputy’s Legacy and Family Controversy

Eshaq Jahangiri served as the first vice president under both of Hassan Rouhani’s administrations, spanning eight years.

Known for his technocratic background and close ties to Hashemi Rafsanjani, Jahangiri was a key figure in the Executives of Construction Party and maintained his connections with the leadership of the Islamic Republic throughout his tenure.

Despite his significant role, Jahangiri's time as first vice president is often noted for its lack of high-profile achievements, aside from notable incidents like the "Jahangiri dollar" controversy.

In 2017, during a meeting of the economic headquarters led by Hassan Rouhani, Jahangiri declared that any dollar transactions exceeding 4,200 tomans were considered smuggling.

He also supported Rouhani’s re-election campaign in 2017.

However, Jahangiri’s tenure was marred by a scandal involving his brother, Mehdi Jahangiri, who was convicted of currency smuggling before the end of Rouhani's second term.

Mohammad Mokhber: Unfulfilled Promises and Controversies

Jahangiri was succeeded by Mohammad Mokhber at the start of the 13th administration of the Islamic Republic under Ebrahim Raisi's presidency.

Mokhber, previously the head of the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order - a powerful economic complex directly overseen by the Supreme Leader - was well-known in Iran before his appointment.

Despite his high-profile role, Mokhber faced criticism for unfulfilled promises, particularly regarding the development of a COVID-19 vaccine by the Barkat Foundation, which he managed.

Additionally, Mokhber was involved in controversies related to the cancellation of the Turkcell contract and various bank corruption cases.

As first deputy, Mokhber also led the government's economic team, but his tenure was marked by economic challenges, including the controversial removal of the preferred currency for importing important goods, which led to a significant economic crisis and widespread criticism.

Mohammad Reza Aref: The Return of a Reformist

The first vice presidency was assumed by Mohammad Reza Aref after Masoud Pezeshkian was inaugurated on Sunday.

Aref, a prominent reformist and ally of Mohammad Khatami, returned to a significant government role after a decade of political obscurity.

His selection is seen as a move to re-establish ties with the reformists, though his political career has been marked by previous tensions and controversies, notably his role in the 2013 presidential election where he was initially reluctant to withdraw in favor of Hassan Rouhani.

Aref's career includes serving as the president of Tehran University, Minister of Post, Telegraph and Telephone, and the first deputy during Khatami’s second term.

His son, Hamidreza Aref, faced scrutiny for nepotism, claiming his success was due to "good genes" from his parents, a controversial statement, especially in light of his involvement in high-profile cases like Turkcell.

The return of 73-year-old Mohammad Reza Aref as the first vice president suggests a reconciliation with the reformists, but also raises concerns about the potential for recurring issues from past administrations.

His appointment could signal either a return to familiar policies or a period of political continuity with a focus on maintaining traditional reformist values.