TEHRAN, Iran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Abdolkarim Hosseinzadeh, a Sunni politician, as Vice President for Rural Development.
The official announcement highlighted Hosseinzadeh’s “valuable experience” as the reason for his selection. This appointment is significant as Sunni Muslims, who make up about 10 percent of Iran’s population, have rarely held key positions of power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in a country dominated by Shia Islam.
Hosseinzadeh, a 44-year-old reformer, has represented the northwestern cities of Naghadeh and Oshnavieh in the Iranian parliament since 2012. Known for advocating Sunni rights, his appointment aligns with President Pezeshkian’s campaign promise to improve representation for ethnic and religious minorities in government roles.
