Iran’s President Rouhani officially appoints approved ministers

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has officially appointed his 15 Cabinet ministers who received votes of confidence from the country’s Majlis.

In separate decrees issued on Saturday, President Rouhani appointed the ministers and expressed hope that they will successfully and properly carry out their “legal duties and responsibilities” based on law, moderation and the moral charter of the administration to serve Islam and the Iranian nation.

The appointments were made in accordance with the principles of the Constitution.

On Thursday, Majlis wrapped up its debate for a vote of confidence on Rouhani’s Cabinet picks after four days of deliberations on the credentials of the ministerial nominees.

The Iranian legislators approved 15 of the 18 proposed ministers, but the nominees for the ministers of Education; Science, Research and Technology; and Sports and Youth, did not win a vote of confidence.

The new Cabinet is scheduled to convene its first meeting on Sunday, according to an advisor to President Rouhani, who now has up to three months to name replacements for the three nominees who were not endorsed by Majlis.