Dismissal of Iranian President’s Assistant Due to Trip to Antarctica
April 5, 2025, 11:30 am

Dismissal of Iranian President’s Assistant Due to Trip to Antarctica

شهرام دبيري

Iranian President Masoud Bezhakian has dismissed his assistant for parliamentary affairs, Shahram Dabiri, from his position due to a trip he made to Antarctica.

In the decision issued by Bezhakian, he stated: "After conducting investigations, it was found that Dabiri took a recreational trip to Antarctica during the Nowruz holiday, and therefore he is relieved from continuing in his government position."

The Iranian president emphasized that the expensive trips taken by officials, regardless of whether they are at their own expense, cannot be justified and are inconsistent with the simple living standards experienced by officials in the country.

In early April, a photo circulated on social media showing Dabiri with a woman believed to be his wife, in front of a cruise ship named "Plancius," with the words "Heading to the South Pole" written on it.

This photo prompted intense reactions and widespread criticism, leading Dabiri’s public relations office to issue a statement clarifying that the images are "inaccurate and outdated."

Additionally, the photo was accompanied by several other images of Dabiri and his wife from a trip to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Many social media users expressed their dissatisfaction with Dabiri's trip, pointing out that the Iranian people are facing significant economic hardships while the vice president undertakes a "luxurious" tour abroad.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.