Iran's Pezeshkian criticized for appointment of ‘old’ VP

President Masoud Pezeshkian faces criticism for appointing 73-year-old 'reformist' politician Mohammad-Reza Aref as his vice president, despite his promise to form a "young" cabinet.

Pezeshkian announced the appointment shortly after his endorsement by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at a ceremony on Sunday. The appointment came as a surprise to many who expected economist Ali Tayebnia’s appointment as VP.

Tayebnia, who played a prominent role in Pezeshkian’s campaign, welcomed Aref’s appointment and stressed that he was not ready to assume the position “for personal reasons”. Given the serious economic situation Iran faces, many expected that the experienced economist would play a pivotal role in the new administration.

Critics say Aref’s appointment is against the promises made by Mohammad-Javad Zarif who Pezeshkian appointed as the head of a “Strategic Council” to vet candidates for cabinet positions. Zarif had stressed that the complex procedure used by the Council’s various committees would ensure a younger and more diverse cabinet.

“It was expected that to fulfill his promises the honorable President would present an agile and energetic person from among those [politically] aligned with him. Appointing Aref, who is three years older than Pezeshkian, despite his [good] personality, does not convey a good message. Hopefully, a young and motivated cabinet will be presented,” former lawmaker Hamid Rasaei, a hardliner, tweeted.

“By choosing Aref, Pezeshkian showed that not only he doesn’t care about [the views of the establishment’s] critics and protesters, but is even indifferent to the opinion of those who voted for him,” reformist Shargh daily’s Hoda Hashemi who called Aref “the most passive political figure” during the crises of the past few years posted on X.

“The mountain gave birth to a mouse,” Reza Khanaki, an entrepreneur strongly critical of the new president, tweeted, drawing on an old Persian proverb. “The outcome of [all the talk about] giving priority to the younger generation, employing new people, …, and listening to people was the appointment of Aref as VP.”

“I have the feeling that Khamenei recommended Aref’s [appointment] as vice president but Pezeshkian tried to hide this by inviting Khatami to the presidential office and public announcement of the meeting,” expatriate dissident journalist and politician Mojtaba Vahedi speculated in a tweet. Former President Mohammad Khatami visited Pezeshkian Friday night, ahead of the news about Aref's appointment.

Vahedi contends that Pezeshkian’s ascendance to the presidency was according to Khamenei’s plan and was meant to “complete his dictatorship and reveal the formality of all government forces including the parliament.”

'Reformist' politicians and media have generally welcomed Aref’s appointment.

Speaking to Khabar Online news website, 'reformist' politician and former Mayor of Tehran Gholamhossein Karbaschi welcomed Pezeshkian’s choice. He argued that Aref’s experience as vice president, his seniority in relation to other cabinet members, and his good relations with both reformists and conservatives make him a good choice for the position.

Unlike in the case of cabinet ministers, Pezeshkian who will be officially inaugurated at the Parliament on Tuesday does not need the Parliament’s approval to appoint his VP and deputies.

Pezeshkian is expected to present his cabinet to the Parliament after his inauguration or later this week for a vote of confidence.

He stressed on Friday that he would discuss his nominees with Khamenei for “final consultation and coordination...total understanding and agreement” when the list of proposed cabinet members is completed.

Zarif said Saturday that at least eight candidates were proposed to the President for most ministerial positions and that investigation of candidates for presidential deputies had not begun yet.

Pezeshkian’s predecessors were also required to discuss their candidates for ministerial positions with Khamenei and get his approval, particularly for several ‘sensitive positions’ including the ministries of intelligence, foreign affairs, Islamic guidance, defense, and interior, before the cabinet was presented to the Parliament.

Pezeshkian is the first Iranian president to inform the public of such a step in the formation of the cabinet. His supporters praise him for being transparent but some among the opposition are accusing him of trying to cast the blame for the possible shortcomings of his government on Khamenei in the future by highlighting his involvement in the selection process.

“Apparently, the shortcomings of Pezeshkian’s government are to be protected from criticism and protest by hiding behind the Supreme Leader,” one of the supporters of the ultra-hardliner Saeed Jalili alleged in a tweet.