Raisi, a hardliner under Western sanctions over allegations of human rights abuses when he was a judge, was sworn into office on Aug. 5 with the Islamic Republic's clerical establishment facing growing crises at home and abroad. Raisi has backed the talks, but insiders have predicted that his government will adopt a tougher line when they resume. Parliament also approved the nomination of Javad Owji, an ex-deputy oil minister and managing director of the state-run gas company, as oil minister. Raisi's cabinet includes several commanders of the Guards like Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, a former defence minister and commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the Quds Force. Several members of Raisi's cabinet are on U.S. or European Union sanctions lists.

Source: The Star August 25, 2021 15:45 UTC