Iranian President Fires Deputy Over Costly Antarctica Trip

• Apr 05, 2025

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has dismissed one of his deputies, Shahram Dabiri, for taking an expensive trip to Antarctica during Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebrations. The decision came after photos of Dabiri and his wife posing in front of the MV Plancius, a ship headed to the South Pole, were widely shared on social media, sparking public anger.

The president’s office called the trip “unjustifiable and unacceptable” in light of the economic difficulties facing ordinary Iranians. In a statement issued on Saturday, Pezeshkian said that Dabiri, who served as vice president for parliamentary affairs, had been removed from his role for actions that were “indefensible,” regardless of whether the trip was funded personally.

“In a government that seeks to follow the values of the first Shia Imam (Imam Ali), and amid significant economic pressures on our people, the lavish travels of government officials, even when personally financed, are indefensible,” Pezeshkian said.

Iran’s economy has been under significant strain, made worse by Western sanctions linked to the country’s support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, which are designated as terrorist organizations by the US, UK, and the EU.

Economic hardship continues to affect the population. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Iran’s unemployment rate stood at 8.4% as of October 2024, while the inflation rate was reported at 29.5% annually.

President Pezeshkian noted that Dabiri’s actions were in direct conflict with the principle of simplicity expected from public officials. “These actions starkly contradict the principle of simplicity that is paramount for those in positions of authority,” he said.

The trip and resulting backlash highlight the growing frustration among Iranians about inequality and the behavior of public officials during difficult economic times. The president’s decision to act swiftly appears to be aimed at reinforcing public trust and holding government figures accountable for their conduct.