Iranian President Dismisses Deputy Over Controversial Antarctic Trip

Shahram Dabiri's dismissed trip highlights disconnect between officials and public amid rising discontent in Iran.

In a dramatic turn of events, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has terminated the employment of deputy Shahram Dabiri following backlash over a luxurious trip to Antarctica with his spouse during Nowruz, the Persian new year. The president’s office called Dabiri’s journey "unjustifiable and unacceptable," especially in light of Iran's current economic struggles.

Images featuring Dabiri and his wife in front of the MV Plancius, en route to the South Pole, sparked outrage and were widely circulated on social media. In a statement released on Saturday, President Pezeshkian criticized his former deputy's actions as "indefensible," irrespective of whether the funds were personally provided.

“In a government committed to the principles espoused by the first Shia Imam, Imam Ali, and amid monumental economic stress on our population, the extravagant journeys of government officials are simply intolerable,” Pezeshkian noted.

With Iran's economy constrained by severe Western sanctions linked to its support for designated terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, the current context of economic hardship is undeniable. As of October 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported an unemployment rate of 8.4%, while annual inflation was measured at 29.5%.

Pezeshkian also emphasized that Dabiri's trip starkly contradicted the core value of simplicity that those in governance should embody. The expedition on the MV Plancius is believed to cost around $6,685 (£5,187). Typically, Antarctica is frequented by scientists and explorers, yet since 2004, cruise tourism has surged. Though specifics about Dabiri's travel arrangements are elusive, it’s noted that tourists often depart from Ushuaia in Argentina, a considerable distance from Iran.

President Pezeshkian, who took office last year promising economic revitalization and an improved quality of life for citizens, replaced former president Ebrahim Raisi after he tragically perished in a helicopter crash. Reports from Iranian media suggest that many of Pezeshkian's supporters pressured him to dismiss Dabiri as public frustration mounted over the deputy's extravagant trip.