Iran's President Dismisses Deputy Over Controversial Antarctic Trip

The sacking underscores ongoing public frustration over government officials’ behaviors amid financial strain.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has taken decisive action against his deputy, Shahram Dabiri, after a controversial trip to Antarctica with his wife sparked outrage among citizens. The president's office criticized Dabiri's trip as "unjustifiable and unacceptable," particularly given the severe economic challenges facing Iran.

A photo of Dabiri and his wife in front of the MV Plancius, a ship on its way to Antarctica, went viral on social media, fueling public anger. In a recent statement, Pezeshkian announced that Dabiri had been removed from his role as vice president of parliamentary affairs, labeling his actions as "indefensible," regardless of the trip's funding source.

Pezeshkian highlighted the need for government officials to embody the values of simplicity, especially while the Iranian people contend with high unemployment and rising inflation, which reached 8.4% and 29.5% respectively, as measured by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Iranian economy is under considerable strain, exacerbated by Western sanctions tied to Iran's support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Dabiri's Antarctic journey reportedly begins at a cost of approximately $6,685 (£5,187), a price tag that dwarfs the daily struggles of many Iranians. Traditionally, travel to Antarctica has been reserved for scientific expeditions, but the surge in cruise tourism has made such trips more accessible.

Details remain unclear about how Dabiri traveled from Iran to Antarctica, but package deals typically require departures from Ushuaia, Argentina, located around 3,079km (1,913 miles) from Buenos Aires.

Pezeshkian, who was elected on a platform promising economic revitalization after the death of his predecessor Ebrahim Raisi, faced mounting pressure from supporters to dismiss Dabiri in the wake of public dissatisfaction with this lavish trip.