New Ban on Appointments in Ministries; Labor Minister Claims 'Behdar's Order' Lacks Legal Basis

Hasty appointments in the ministries of the Islamic Republic, prior to the transfer of the government to Ibrahim Raisi's successor, and Massoud Behdar's objections to this issue, have provoked a strong reaction from Soulat Mortazavi, the Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, at the end of the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, July 20. In response to ILNA's question about Behdar's letter to Mohammad Mokhber regarding the ban on new appointments and dismissals, Mortazavi stated: 'Regarding Mr. Behdar's letter, you should ask him whether the letter he issued has any legal basis or not?' Mortazavi emphasized the illegality of this request, saying, 'Ask him about the legal basis of this letter and see if it has been customary, traditional, or a rule?' This minister of Ibrahim Raisi's government denied any 'violations in recent appointments,' which have historically occurred during transitional periods of all Islamic Republic governments, stating: 'Mr. Mokhber's letter pertains to administrative bodies; the appointments made are in companies that are subject to public institutions.' Meanwhile, according to ILNA, an informed source in the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare revealed serious violations within this ministry, asserting: 'Serious and noteworthy violations of Mr. Mokhber's directive have occurred in the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, such that, in fact, after the issuance of Mr. Mokhber's directive, extensive hiring and changes have taken place within the Ministry and especially in its affiliated funds.' Behdar's letter regarding the ban on new appointments is being followed up by Mokhber and Hassan Darvishian, the head of the Special Inspection Office of the President. Ali Bahadori Jahromi, the spokesperson for Raisi's government, also commented on Behdar's letter to Mokhber, stating: 'The request is from the elected president. It is true that the elected president has not yet taken office and Mr. Mokhber is the acting president, but he has received votes from the people and has made a request that the contents of this request were communicated by Mr. Mokhber in June, stating that unnecessary changes should not occur. However, when someone resigns, it is natural that the routine of that agency cannot be halted.' The dispute among the factions of the Islamic Republic comes at a time when Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on Saturday, July 16, in a message regarding the announcement of Massoud Behdar's name in the government vote to determine Ibrahim Raisi's successor, called for replacing 'competitive behaviors' with 'friendship norms.' Khamenei, who had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the low participation rate in the first round of voting, in this message, without mentioning the participation rate in the second round, combined the total votes announced in both rounds and claimed that '55 million votes' were cast in the two rounds. The low-turnout voting in July this year to replace Ibrahim Raisi, more than being a competition among candidates approved by the Guardian Council, turned into a scene of confrontation between the opponents of the Islamic Republic and the 'government's statistical fabrications.' The Islamic Republic, which was caught off guard in the first round by widespread boycotts and low public participation, attempted to downplay this defeat by announcing a 40% participation rate. However, the announcement of candidates' votes and users deciphering the government's extensive 'number fabrication' led to the trending of the term and hashtag 'Jomhour Coefficient' in cyberspace. The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department on Tuesday, July 18, in response to the announcement of Massoud Behdar as the head of the fourteenth government of the Islamic Republic, emphasized that with Ali Khamenei in power, the U.S. does not expect any changes in Tehran's policies. Fariborz Sarami: The main goal of the Islamic Republic is the survival of the regime; Khamenei intends to negotiate with the West. Alam Saleh: The president of the Islamic Republic can only change minor policies of the system, not strategic policies. The White House warns about the Islamic Republic's campaign to exploit the Gaza war and incite protesters in America.