Iran president fires deputy over Antarctica trip

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday, April 5, 2025, dismissed his deputy for parliamentary affairs over a costly trip to Antarctica.

This comes on the heels of the country grappling with hyperinflation amid a biting economic crisis.

A photo shared on social media in recent days showed the now former vice president, Shahram Dabiri, alongside a woman identified as his wife, posing near the Plancius cruise ship.

The Dutch-flagged vessel has offered luxury expeditions to Antarctica since 2009.

One agency pricing for an eight-day trip is put at 3,885 euros per person.

In a letter published Saturday by the official IRNA news agency, the Iranian president wrote:

“In a context where economic pressure on the population remains high… expensive leisure trips by officials, even if paid out of their own pocket, are neither defensible nor justifiable.”

The letter therefore noted that Dabiri was dismissed.

Dabiri, a 64-year-old physician by profession and a close confidant of Pezeshkian, had been appointed to the post in August.

The government faced strong criticism after the photo was published, and several of Pezeshkian’s supporters urged him to remove the official.

IRNA late last month cited a source in Dabiri’s office as saying that he had made the trip before he held a governmental position.

The controversy is another major blow for Pezeshkian, who was elected last year on a promise to revive the country’s economy.

He also had the mandate to improve the daily lives of his fellow citizens.

In early March, his Economy Minister Abdolnasser Hemmati was dismissed by parliament amid a sharp depreciation of the national currency against the dollar and soaring inflation.

Following his election win last year, Mr Pezeshkian disclosed his monthly salary as 700 million rials (around £600).

With his deputies earning less than £7,000 annually, questions have been raised about how Dr Dabiri could afford such an expensive trip.

Dr Dabiri has not commented on his dismissal and has not confirmed whether he paid for the trip himself or where the money came from.

However, one source close to Dr Dabiri said:

“We’ve known Dr Dabiri for years, and he’s always gone on these foreign trips at his own expense, completely unrelated to his position or status.”

Government officials faced strong criticism after the photos emerged.

It prompted many of Mr Pezeshkian’s supporters urging the president to remove Dabiri.

Mr Pezeshkian was elected promising economic improvement and better living conditions for Iranians.

He promised better living conditions where the average salary is around £200 a month.

However, Iran is currently experiencing its deepest and longest economic crisis in its modern history.

The economy is struggling due to mismanagement, alleged corruption and sanctions.

On the other hand, the Iranian rial has lost more than 50 per cent of its value in the last year.

Iranians and economic hardship

Iran’s parliament voted to impeach economy minister Abdolnaser Hemmati in early March amid currency depreciation and rising inflation.

A number of political figures from Mr Pezeshkian’s administration criticised Dr Dabiri’s trip.

They said that the ostentatious trip was inappropriate while the Iranian people are struggling with severe economic hardship.

According to reports, the Iranians also cannot meet their basic needs.

It was argued that the promotion of simple living by the regime is apparently only for ordinary people who suffer under economic pressure.

But then, analysts and citizens say government officials and their families enjoy a life of luxury.

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