"Vice President Fired for Luxurious Official Trip Amid Economic Crisis in 'I Nara'"

Iranian President: "Unacceptable Act"
"Inappropriate Regardless of Personal Funding"

Costacruise (not directly related to the article). Asia Economy DB

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dismissed Vice President Shafran Davili for taking a luxurious trip. Considering the recent difficult economic situation, it was deemed 'unacceptable.'

According to the BBC on the 5th (local time), after photos of Vice President Davili taken in front of a cruise ship heading to Antarctica with his wife became a hot topic, the dismissal was confirmed following a fact-check.

President Pezeshkian stated, "Given Iran's current economic difficulties, this cannot be justified and is unacceptable," adding, "Vice President Davili was dismissed due to 'indefensible' behavior, regardless of whether he funded the trip from his own pocket."

He continued, "In a government that seeks to follow the values of Imam Ali, and amid significant economic pressure on our people, even if personally funded, a public official's luxurious trip cannot be defended."

The Iranian economy is under considerable pressure and faces Western sanctions due to its support for Palestinian armed group Hamas and Lebanese Shia armed group Hezbollah, both designated as terrorist organizations by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union (EU). According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as of October 2024, Iran's unemployment rate was 8.4%, and the annual inflation rate reached 29.5%.

Meanwhile, the cost of boarding the Antarctic exploration vessel MV Plancius, on which Vice President Davili traveled, is reported to be $6,685 (approximately 9.81 million KRW). It is unclear which exploration package Vice President Davili chose, but supporters of President Pezeshkian have expressed dissatisfaction with the visit itself and have continuously called for Vice President Davili's dismissal.