Website In Tehran Slams Government’s Diplomatic Appointments
A moderate news website in Iran says the country's hardliners are going out of their way to send their supporters who are not qualified as ambassadors abroad.
A moderate news website in Iran says the country's hardliners are going out of their way to send their supporters who are not qualified as ambassadors abroad.
In an article entitled "Ambassadorial positions under the hammer," Entekhab news website cited the recent appointment of midwife and city councilwoman Massoumeh Abad as Iran's ambassador to Finland as an example.
Entekhab stated that Abad's appointment undermined the long-standing principles observed in ambassadorial appointments. Many former diplomats and media outlets as well as social media users have lashed out at the Iranian Foreign Ministry for appointing a midwife as an ambassador.
According to Entekhab, the appointment disregarded the Foreign Ministry's stated policy of promoting "economic diplomacy," which aimed to send diplomats capable of expanding Iran's economic relations with other countries. Despite the sanctions imposed on Iran, the country is seeking ways to circumvent them and improve its struggling economy by expanding trade.
This situation is exacerbated by the fact that Tehran currently lacks ambassadors in major European capitals, including London, Paris, Berlin, and Stockholm. Entekhab highlighted this as evidence of the Foreign Ministry's lack of understanding regarding the importance of ambassadors during this critical period. Alternatively, it may reflect conflicts among different power centers and political factions in Iran, all vying for a share of influence, including control over Iran's embassies abroad.
The website argued that President Ebrahim Raisi's pledge to boost economic diplomacy could only be achieved by sending qualified diplomats abroad, well-versed in diplomatic knowledge and economic expertise. However, the reality has contradicted Raisi's declared ideals.
For over a year, President Raisi has faced extensive criticism for his handling of the economy, which has plunged further into crisis. He has been accused of mismanagement, appointing inappropriate individuals to top positions, and relying on false promises to buy himself more time.
For over a year, President Raisi has faced extensive criticism for his handling of the economy, which has plunged further into crisis. He has been accused of mismanagement, appointing inappropriate individuals to top positions, and relying on false promises to buy himself more time.
Mohsen Bakhtiar, Iran's new ambassador to Beijing, previously held a position in the Ministry of Energy, unrelated to diplomacy. The website also criticized Bakhtiar for lacking the necessary linguistic and diplomatic expertise required for such a significant role in a key country. His knowledge of foreign relations and ability to employ appropriate diplomatic tools are also questionable.
Entekhab further highlighted the appointment of former Central Bank Governor Ali Salehabadi as ambassador to Qatar, which was deemed even more perplexing than the other two appointments. This move seemed to be a mere face-saving measure for the former banking official who lost his position due to Raisi's impromptu decision. Raisi believed that replacing the central bank governor would solve Iran's economic problems.
By appointing an inexperienced individual as ambassador to a crucial region where diplomatic relations have recently gained momentum, the Foreign Ministry demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding Doha's significance in the nuclear negotiations and the restoration of Tehran's ties with Arab capitals.
Moreover, the absence of ambassadors in major European capitals indicates that the government fails to grasp the importance of those countries. Relations with European nations deteriorated during the recent nationwide protests in Iran, further isolating the Islamic Republic. Entekhab argued that by not dispatching ambassadors to these countries, Tehran has deprived itself of the leverage necessary to counter diplomatic and political pressures.
According to Entekhab, the failure to appoint chief diplomats to these European capitals has significantly diminished Iran's bargaining power in international relations.
