Iranian President Dismisses Deputy Over Controversial Antarctic Vacation

In response to public outrage, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has fired deputy Shahram Dabiri for undertaking a lavish Antarctic cruise during Nowruz, emphasizing accountability and sensitivity to the country's economic struggles.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has taken decisive action against one of his deputies, Shahram Dabiri, after he embarked on a lavish trip to Antarctica accompanied by his wife. The trip, coinciding with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, has been described by the president's office as "unjustifiable and unacceptable," especially in light of the severe economic challenges facing Iran.

Images of Dabiri posing with his wife in front of the MV Plancius, which was en route to Antarctica, sparked significant outrage across social media platforms, drawing criticism from the Iranian public. In his statement, Pezeshkian condemned Dabiri’s actions, labeling them "indefensible" regardless of whether the expenses were personally covered. He emphasized the need for government officials to embody simplicity, particularly during a time of economic distress.

Iran is currently grappling with rampant inflation and a high unemployment rate, both exacerbated by international sanctions tied to its foreign policy actions in support of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. According to the International Monetary Fund, the unemployment rate stood at 8.4% as of October 2024, with annual inflation soaring to 29.5%.

The Antarctic cruise that sparked this controversy reportedly has a starting price of $6,685 (£5,187). Historically, visits to Antarctica have been reserved for scientists and dedicated explorers, but recent years have seen a rise in tourism to this remote region. While the specifics of Dabiri's travel arrangements remain unclear, expeditions typically begin from Ushuaia, located in Argentina, which is over 3,000 kilometers from the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Pezeshkian, who took office with promises to rejuvenate the economy and enhance the quality of life for Iranians, acted swiftly after receiving pressure from his supporters to hold Dabiri accountable as dissatisfaction grew over the deputy's extravagant vacation during troubled times.