Iran's Parliament has given votes of confidence to three candidates proposed by President Hassan Rouhani to lead the ministries of sports and youth affairs; culture and Islamic guidance; and education.

After extensive debates during two Parliament sessions on Tuesday, Rouhani’s picks for the three ministries obtained the green light from the Iranian lawmakers.

At the end of the evening session, Reza Salehi Amiri, the proposed nominee for the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, received the vote of confidence with 180 Iranian lawmakers in favor, 89 against and six abstentions.

This as 193 lawmakers also gave their approval to Massoud Soltanifar, as the president’s pick for the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. Some 72 lawmakers opposed him and nine abstained.

Fakhroddin Ahmadi Danesh Ashtiani also won a yes from 157 legislators, while 111 were against him and six abstained, to become the new minister of education.

Soltanifar is the current vice president and the head of the Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran; Salehi Amiri is the current head of the National Library and Archives Organization of Iran; and Danesh Ashtiani is a university professor.

In a letter to Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani on October 23, the president had introduced the candidates for the three vacant ministerial portfolios for votes of confidence.

The president’s move came after the resignation of Ali Jannati, Mahmoud Goudarzi, and Ali Asghar Fani as the ministers of culture and Islamic guidance, sports and youth affairs, and education, respectively, last week. </s> State media reported that Reza Salehi Amiri, Saeed Soltanifar and Fakhredin Ahmadi Danesh-Ashtiani won votes of confidence to take over the ministries of Islamic guidance and culture, sport and youth affairs, and education. Their predecessors resigned after Rouhani criticized them for inefficiency and succumbing to pressures from outside the government.

Rouhani allies won big gains in parliamentary elections in February, short of an outright majority but comfortable enough to pass his legislative plans.

Rouhani is expected to stand for re-election next year but may face a challenge from conservative rivals who believe Iran has conceded too much in a deal with world powers to limit its nuclear program, while failing to benefit as promised from a lifting of international sanctions. </s> Iranian President Hassan Rouhani takes part in a news conference near the United Nations General Assembly in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., September 22, 2016. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iranian lawmakers approved three new ministers on Tuesday, signaling support for changes in the cabinet of pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani seven months before a presidential election.

State media reported that Reza Salehi Amiri, Saeed Soltanifar and Fakhredin Ahmadi Danesh-Ashtiani won votes of confidence to take over the ministries of Islamic guidance and culture, sport and youth affairs, and education. Their predecessors resigned after Rouhani criticized them for inefficiency and succumbing to pressures from outside the government.

Rouhani allies won big gains in parliamentary elections in February, short of an outright majority but comfortable enough to pass his legislative plans.

Rouhani is expected to stand for re-election next year but may face a challenge from conservative rivals who believe Iran has conceded too much in a deal with world powers to limit its nuclear program, while failing to benefit as promised from a lifting of international sanctions. </s> On Monday afternoon, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani appointed Seyyed Rahmatollah Akrami as Acting Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, according to the official website of Iran's presidency 'preisdent.ir'.

Akrami's appointment comes a day after the Iranian parliament sacked Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance (MEAF) Masoud Karbasian, which in turn came more than two weaks after the impeachment of labor minister Ali Rabiei.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

According to Article 135 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran and with regard to your commitment and executive and management experiences, you are being appointed as “Acting Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance”.

I wish you success in carrying out your responsibilities in serving the noble people of Iran and the Islamic Republic through cooperation of all employees of the ministry, upholding the principles of the rule of law, moderation and "Code of Ethics of the Government of Prudence and Hope".

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Iranian parliament approves three President Hassan Rouhani's new designated ministers, including Reza Salehi Amiri, Fakhruddin Danesh-Ashtiani and Masoud Soltanifar as culture, education and sports ministers respectively.