Iran President Hassan Rouhani appoints two female vice-president

The Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has appointed two female vice presidents on Wednesday, a day after coming under fire from reformists for not nominating women ministers.

Rouhani has appointed Massoomeh Ebtekar as vice president in charge of women and family affairs and Laya Joneydi as the vice president for legal affairs. 

Ebtekar is  known internationally for her role as spokesperson during the 1980 US embassy hostage crisis. Ebtekar had served as vice-president for the environment department during his first term.

Rouhani in his previous term had three female vice presidents. Several deputy positions are to be filled and it is unclear if he would appoint any women for the positions.

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On Tuesday the Iranian president was criticized by his reformist allies for not appointing any female minister. 

Rouhani on Tuesday had proposed 17 men for 18 cabinet positions to the parliament for approval.

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The allies had said that Rouhani had bowed to pressure from various religious establishments.

Rouhani, a moderate cleric, sailed to victory in May over hardliner Ebrahim Raisi with the backing of reformists after vowing to improve civil liberties and rebuild ties with the West.