Latest news with #Dutch-flagged
Gulf Today
06-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Iranian president fires deputy over costly Antarctica trip
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday dismissed his deputy for parliamentary affairs over a costly trip to Antarctica, as the country grapples 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, with one agency pricing an eight-day trip at 3,885 euros per person. "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 Iranian president wrote in a letter published on Saturday by the official IRNA news agency, which 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 economy and 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. Agence France-Presse
Express Tribune
05-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Iranian President fires Deputy over costly Antarctica trip
Shahram Dabiri, the Iranian president's deputy for parliamentary affairs, was dismissed after his extravagant Antarctica trip with his wife sparked controversy. Photo Courtesy: X Listen to article Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dismissed his deputy for parliamentary affairs on Saturday after a photo emerged showing the official on an expensive trip to Antarctica, sparking criticism as the country struggles with hyperinflation and a severe economic crisis. The now-former deputy, Shahram Dabiri, was seen posing with a woman identified as his wife near the luxury Plancius cruise ship. The Dutch-flagged vessel, which has offered Antarctic expeditions since 2009, lists an eight-day trip at 3,885 euros per person. "In a context where economic pressure on the population remains high... expensive leisure trips by officials, even if paid for out of their own pocket, are neither defensible nor justifiable," Pezeshkian wrote in a letter published by state news agency IRNA, confirming Dabiri's dismissal. Dabiri, a 64-year-old physician and close ally of Pezeshkian, had been appointed to his role in August. The controversy ignited after the photo was shared on social media, with public outcry urging Pezeshkian to take action. IRNA later reported that Dabiri had made the trip before assuming his official post. However, the incident has compounded the pressure on Pezeshkian's government, which had promised to revive the economy. In March, Pezeshkian's Economy Minister, Abdolnasser Hemmati, was also dismissed by parliament following a sharp depreciation of the rial and surging inflation.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iranian vice-president fired for taking ‘extravagant' trip to Antarctica
Iran's president has fired his deputy for taking a holiday to Antarctica. Shahram Dabiri, the country's now former vice-president, travelled first to Argentina, and then onto the Plancius cruise ship to Antarctica, in an extravagant trip deemed to be 'indefensible' while Iran is facing financial difficulties. A photo shared on Instagram by a woman believed to be his wife shows the pair near the Dutch-flagged vessel, which offers Antarctic expeditions priced at around £3,300 per person for an eight-day journey. Other pictures of Dr Dabiri and the woman touring Buenos Aires, Paris, Rome, and Tbilisi were also shared on the same account, which has since been made private. 'In recent days, after reviewing the news, it was confirmed that during Nowruz, you were on a leisure trip to Antarctica,' Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian president, wrote in a letter to Dr Dabiri, subsequently published by the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). He added: '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... we can no longer continue our cooperation with you in the government.' Dr Dabiri, 64, a physician and close ally of Mr Pezeshkian, had been appointed in August and was reportedly out of the country when he was dismissed. His appointment had sparked controversy in Iran, as he had previously been arrested and imprisoned on corruption charges during his tenure as head of a local council in northwestern Tabriz. 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, with 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, 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, while the Iranian rial has lost more than 50 per cent of its value in the last year. 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 and 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, while government officials and their families enjoy a life of luxury. Foreign holidays have proven tricky to navigate for other politicians. In December Javier Milei, the Argentine president, warned his ministers that holidays should be 'austere'. In a direct message to his cabinet, Mr Milei specifically mentioned New York, Miami, and Punta del Este, an upscale Uruguayan beach resort, as destinations he wanted his ministers to avoid over the Christmas period. All three have long been favoured by wealthy Argentines. In the UK, Sir Tony Blair was known for staying in the homes of the rich and famous while on holiday. During his time as prime minister, he enjoyed Sir Cliff Richard's Barbados villa, the Sardinian villa of Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi, and the Miami beach home of the former Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb. David Cameron favoured family trips to Cornwall, Theresa May enjoyed thinking time in the Swiss Alps, and Boris Johnson visited Scotland (as well as the exclusive Caribbean island of Mustique). Sir Keir Starmer spent Christmas with his family at Chequers, before heading to Madeira for a few days. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The National
05-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Iran's president sacks deputy over luxury cruise in Antarctica
News Photo of Shahram Dabiri posing next to polar expedition ship sparked outrage in Tehran A senior Iranian official has been sacked by President Masoud Pezeshkian over an expensive holiday trip to Antarctica, Iran's news agency said on Saturday. Shahram Dabiri, the president's deputy for parliamentary affairs, was seen in a photo shared on social media, alongside a woman identified as his wife, standing near the Plancius cruise ship, which caused outrage in Iran. The Dutch-flagged vessel has offered luxury expeditions to Antarctica since 2009, with one agency pricing an eight-day trip at €3,885 ($4,528) per person. Iran is in a state of economic crisis and hyperinflation. "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 Iranian President wrote in a letter published on Saturday by the official IRNA news agency, which noted that Mr Dabiri was dismissed. "In a decree on Saturday, President Masoud Pezeshkian said the leisure trip to Antarctica, while the Iranian people are grappling with intense economic pressures, contravenes the administration's campaign pledge of sincerity and justice,' said the news agency. Mr Dabiri, a 64-year-old physician by profession and a close confidant of Mr Pezeshkian, had been appointed to the post in August. The government faced strong criticism after the photo was published, and several of Mr Pezeshkian's supporters urged him to remove the official. IRNA late last month cited a source in Mr Dabiri's office as saying that he had made the trip before he held a government position. The controversy is a blow for Mr Pezeshkian, who was elected last year on a promise to revive the economy and 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. With reporting from agencies
The National
05-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Iran president sacks deputy over high-price Antarctica trip
A senior Iranian official has been sacked by President Masoud Pezeshkian over a costly trip to Antarctica, Iran's news agency said on Saturday. Shahram Dabiri, the president's deputy for parliamentary affairs, was seen in a photo shared on social media, alongside a woman identified as his wife, standing near the Plancius cruise ship, which caused outrage in Iran. The Dutch-flagged vessel has offered luxury expeditions to Antarctica since 2009, with one agency pricing an eight-day trip at €3,885 ($4,528) per person. Iran is in a state of economic crisis and hyperinflation. "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 Iranian President wrote in a letter published Saturday by the official IRNA news agency, which noted that Mr Dabiri was dismissed. "In a decree on Saturday, President Masoud Pezeshkian said the leisure trip to Antarctica, while the Iranian people are grappling with intense economic pressures, contravenes the administration's campaign pledge of sincerity and justice,' said the news agency. Mr Dabiri, a 64-year-old physician by profession and a close confidant of Mr Pezeshkian, had been appointed to the post in August. The government faced strong criticism after the photo was published, and several of Mr Pezeshkian's supporters urged him to remove the official. IRNA late last month cited a source in Mr Dabiri's office as saying that he had made the trip before he held a government position. The controversy is another major blow for Mr Pezeshkian, who was elected last year on a promise to revive the economy and 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. With reporting from agencies
