In a statement issued by the president's office, the trip was labeled as "unjustifiable and unacceptable," considering the ongoing economic struggles faced by many Iranian citizens. The announcement came after a viral image of Dabiri and his wife in front of the MV Plancius, bound for the South Pole, incited anger on social media platforms.
President Pezeshkian criticized Dabiri's actions as "indefensible," asserting that such travel for government officials is inappropriate, even if personally funded. He emphasized the need for simplicity and accountability among those in power, particularly given the country's significant economic strains due to ongoing Western sanctions linked to Iran's support for groups deemed terrorist organizations by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
As of October 2024, Iran's economy was reported to be grappling with an unemployment rate of 8.4% and an inflation rate of 29.5%, statistics that underline the urgent need for leadership sensitivity to the struggles facing ordinary Iranians. Dabiri's Antarctic excursion, costing upwards of $6,700, drew ire not only for its opulence but for contrasting sharply with the values expected from Iran's leaders, particularly under Pezeshkian’s administration, which was elected to revitalize the nation following a period marked by turmoil.
Calls for Dabiri's ouster intensified among the president's supporters as public dissatisfaction grew, leading to his eventual removal from the post of vice president for parliamentary affairs. The incident serves as a profound reminder of the challenges and expectations facing Iran's government amid a populace yearning for genuine reform and thoughtful governance.
President Pezeshkian criticized Dabiri's actions as "indefensible," asserting that such travel for government officials is inappropriate, even if personally funded. He emphasized the need for simplicity and accountability among those in power, particularly given the country's significant economic strains due to ongoing Western sanctions linked to Iran's support for groups deemed terrorist organizations by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
As of October 2024, Iran's economy was reported to be grappling with an unemployment rate of 8.4% and an inflation rate of 29.5%, statistics that underline the urgent need for leadership sensitivity to the struggles facing ordinary Iranians. Dabiri's Antarctic excursion, costing upwards of $6,700, drew ire not only for its opulence but for contrasting sharply with the values expected from Iran's leaders, particularly under Pezeshkian’s administration, which was elected to revitalize the nation following a period marked by turmoil.
Calls for Dabiri's ouster intensified among the president's supporters as public dissatisfaction grew, leading to his eventual removal from the post of vice president for parliamentary affairs. The incident serves as a profound reminder of the challenges and expectations facing Iran's government amid a populace yearning for genuine reform and thoughtful governance.
