Khamenei's Information Base Responds to Reports of His Intervention in Cabinet Selection Process

On Friday, August 6, the Office for the Publication of the Works of the Leader of the Islamic Republic issued a statement regarding Ayatollah Khamenei's intervention in the selection of government ministers, describing it as "focused on the efficiency" of the ministers and a continuation of his "supportive approach" towards governments. In this note, published on the official website of Khamenei's office, the claim that each cabinet member is selected with the leader's opinion was rejected, and reports on this matter were labeled as "recent rumors and insinuations." With only a few days left until Hassan Rouhani's inauguration for his second presidential term, several members of parliament recently announced based on "hearsay" that Mr. Rouhani intends to "coordinate" with the leader regarding all cabinet members. Mahmoud Sadqi, a representative from Tehran, tweeted that "according to the usual tradition," presidents would coordinate two or three ministers with the Supreme Leader, but Hassan Rouhani claims he will coordinate all cabinet members with him. Another parliament member, Ali Motahari, objected to this practice, arguing that if ministers are approved by the Supreme Leader, other parliament members will have no inclination to oppose any proposed minister. There is no legal requirement in Iran for ministers to be selected in coordination with the Supreme Leader, but this has become a practice and tradition in previous governments. Now, Khamenei's information base has published a note titled "The Leader's Main Concern Regarding the Cabinet," rejecting the notion that he is involved in the selection of "each and every" minister. The note further evaluates such claims as the product of a "news current" within the country supported by "extensive foreign media." At the same time, the note acknowledges the Supreme Leader's direct role in selecting the ministers of defense, foreign affairs, and intelligence, calling this intervention a "duty" assigned to the leader by the country's constitution. The note continues by stating that the leader has "sensitivities" regarding "certain ministries such as science, education, and Islamic guidance" and does not express an opinion on the remaining cabinet members, but emphasizes that ministers should be capable individuals free from controversy. The cabinet of the Islamic Republic consists of 22 members. However, in the note published on the Supreme Leader's information base, while emphasizing non-interference in the selection of ministers, conditions and guidelines for selecting "system officials" are also mentioned, which he believes should be adhered to. According to this note, officials of the Islamic Republic must "deeply believe in the principles of the revolution and their duties and consider their dignity as servitude and service to the people." The note also specifies that "officials should be chosen who view responsibility as an opportunity for service and to gain the pleasure of God and His servants, rather than seeing it as a bounty and prey to grasp more of the world..." Elsewhere in this statement, it is emphasized that the Supreme Leader's approach towards governments is a "supportive approach": "I always support all governments in power; today is no different." This comes despite the fact that according to the leader's own statements and during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's two presidential terms, Ayatollah Khamenei paid special attention to him and preferred his opinions, at least during his presidency. Hassan Rouhani and his government have not yet commented on the method of selecting ministers and "coordination" with the leader. In this regard, only the government spokesman has mentioned that the cabinet of the twelfth government will be "cross-factional."