Iranian Parliament Reportedly Approves Majority of President's Cabinet Nominees

The Iranian parliament on Sunday approved all but one Cabinet candidate proposed by the country's President Hassan Rouhani,the nominee for the position of energy minister, local media reported.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Tehran Times newspaper reported that the debates on the 17 candidates had been held over five days.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh retained their posts. Deputy Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Amir Hatami was appointed as the new Defense Minister.

The candidacy of Habibollah Bitaraf, proposed as minister of energy, was rejected by 133 votes, while 132 parliamentarians voted in his favor.

Rouhani was re-elected on May 19 after receiving 57 percent of the vote. On August 3, Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei formally approved the re-election of Rouhani for his second term.