CNN
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The Iranian president fired one of his agents for incorporating what he described as a “luxurious” recreational trip to Antarctica.
President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the removal of Shahram Dabiri from his position as Vice President of Congress in the decree on Saturday, explaining the trip to be luxurious and vulnerable.
“In a government that seeks to follow the values of the first Shiite Imam (Imam Ali), the gorgeous travel of government officials is vulnerable, even if they are personally funded amid important economic pressures on our people,” writes Pezeshkian.
The president added that Dabili’s long-standing work in government should not prevent him from committing to what he called “integrity, justice and the promises we have given to the people.”
Davili said he denied any fraud but accepted the president’s decision.
Pezeschkian also said that Dabili’s actions contradict the principle of “simple life” that all officials should adhere to, particularly during economic challenges.
Iran’s economy has been strained for years due to US sanctions imposed in response to Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran’s currency fell to a record low of 1,039,000 RI for the US dollar last week, citing data from bonbast.com, according to Reuters.
Government spokesman Fatemeh Mohajerani said the president’s decision to fire Dabiri said he “has no fellow agreement with anyone, and his only criteria are validity, justice, integrity and the public interest.”