President Mohammad Khatami’s embattled administration is reeling after Iran’s hardliner dominated parliament sacked his Transport Minister, Ahmad Khorram following Sunday’s impeachment session. Khorram received an overwhelming no confidence vote by hardliner deputies unimpressed with his defense of his record. President Mohammad Khatami’s embattled administration is reeling after Iran’s hardliner dominated parliament sacked his Transport Minister, Ahmad Khorram following Sunday’s impeachment session. Khorram received an overwhelming no confidence vote by hardliner deputies unimpressed with his defense of his record.Meanwhile, Iran’s Vice President for parliamentary affairs, Mohammad Ali Abtahi, chose this occasion to submit his letter of resignation to the President, citing his “inability” to work with the current deputies. Khatami himself has yet to react to the sacking of Khorram and the resignation of Abtahi.
Mr. Khatami’s administration has been known to be reformist but in the latest parliamentary elections, hardliners won most of the seats in parliament and have gradually made their presence felt. Other organs of the state, which are controlled by conservatives, especially the judiciary, also have increasingly taken steps to strengthen their control and advance their policies.
Pro reform circles in Iran fear that the Khorram episode portends a massive crackdown by the hardliner faction, which is set to intensify as Khatami’s administration nears the end of its term. Iranian deputies in Parliament have indicated their intention to press ahead with another impeachment this time targeting Education Minister Morteza Haji to be followed by Interior Minister, Abdolvahed Musavi Lari. Today, the Iranian government spokesman, Abdollah Ramezanzadeh said with a hint of desperation that while parliament can exercise its right to impeach, this behavior towards the government is unjustifiable
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