Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has dismissed his deputy, Shahram Dabiri, for embarking on a “lavish” trip to Antarctica with his wife during Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The presidential office condemned the voyage as "unjustifiable and unacceptable" amid the country's ongoing economic difficulties. A widely circulated photo of Dabiri and his wife in front of the MV Plancius, a cruise ship heading towards the South Pole, sparked outrage across social media platforms in Iran.
Pezeshkian emphasized that Dabiri's actions were “indefensible” and unaligned with the values of humility taught by Imam Ali, irrespective of whether the trip was self-funded or not. Amid severe economic pressure from international sanctions related to Iran's support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, Dabiri’s trip stands in stark contrast to the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
Currently, Iran's economy is struggling, indicated by an unemployment rate of 8.4% and an alarming annual inflation rate of 29.5%, according to the International Monetary Fund. Pezeshkian stressed that such extravagant expenditures by public officials starkly violate the principle of simplicity that must be upheld by authority figures.
The journey aboard the MV Plancius reportedly starts at a cost of around $6,685 (£5,187), and while such trips have become increasingly popular among tourists, traditionally these explorations are reserved for scientists and seasoned adventurers. The voyage typically requires travel to Ushuaia, Argentina, which is over 3,000 kilometers from Buenos Aires, before embarking on the cruise.
Elected last year with promises to revitalize the economy and enhance the lives of Iranians, Pezeshkian faced public pressure from his supporters to take action against Dabiri following the public's discontent over the deputy’s extravagant trip.
