IRGC-linked newspaper censures president over cabinet selection

An IRGC-linked newspaper has criticized President Masoud Pezeshkian for the "consequences" of his repeated statements that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will be heavily involved in the appointment of his cabinet.

Pezeshkian, who is expected to present his cabinet to Parliament for a vote of confidence in the coming days, possibly on Sunday, has, along with his newly appointed parliamentary liaison Shahram Dabiri, emphasized that he will consult with Khamenei and secure his “approval” for the nominees before submitting them to Parliament.

Pezeshkian has consistently emphasized that his policies will be shaped by the overarching directives set by Khamenei. He also insists that his administration’s performance should be judged on how closely officials adhere to these guidelines and how effectively they utilize the resources at their disposal.

However, an editorial note in Javan newspaper Wednesday said that Pezeshkian's statements about getting Khamenei's approval “can provide excuses to certain people to avoid bearing responsibility for ministers’ performance” and to shift “responsibility and [need for] accountability” to Khamenei.

It has long been understood that no president can form a government without Khamenei's approval of individual candidates. However, Pezeshkian has taken an unprecedented step by openly emphasizing this reality, making it clear that Khamenei also shares responsibility for the administration's performance. This tactic sets him apart from his predecessors, who typically kept such matters behind closed doors.

“Such an approach, obviously, cannot be right neither politically nor ethically,” the Javan editorial charged. It also maintained that Khamenei does not get involved in “executive affairs” or “interfere in other entities’ activities” claiming that he even avoids interfering when directly requested to express his opinion.

Similar accusations are widely made by hardliners and ultra-hardliners on social media against Pezeshkian and his right-hand man, Mohammad-Javad Zarif, who he appointed to the newly created position of ‘strategic deputy’ last week to the huge disappointment of his critics.

“No president’s cabinet should be evaluated on the basis of the approval or disapproval of the Leader of the Revolution,” the Javan editorial argued while stressing that the responsibility for the performance of government officials only lies with the president.

“Opposition to and criticism of no minister can be taken as opposing the Leader,” Javan wrote referring to the very high possibility of strong opposition of the hardliner-dominated parliament in the review process of some of Pezeshkian’s proposed candidates.

However, while tightly controlling the core of the regime, Khamenei usually pretends he is not involved in the decisions and actions of the executive branch and tries to avoid responsibility for failures.

“We are certain that appointment to these positions will not be possible without consultation with the Supreme Leader,” Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a veteran conservative lawmaker and former head of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said last week.

Pezeshkian is the first Iranian president to inform the public of such a step in the formation of the cabinet and to say he would discuss not only candidates for these five positions but also all others with Khamenei.

Javan’s editorial also referred to “some pessimists” who believe that Pezeshkian’s parliamentary deputy highlighted the Leader’s involvement in the selection of the ministers to put pressure on the Parliament and limit lawmakers’ independence.

Pundits say highlighting Khamenei’s role in setting guidelines for the government and shedding light on his deep involvement in the selection of its officials is indeed a step towards transparency and would allow the president to be held only responsible for what he has freely and independently chosen to do.