Murli Deora: India will not bow to any pressure on IPI pipeline; Iran’s Vice President removed from office on account of his supposed pro-Israeli views; Ahmadinejad removes 4 ministers ahead of cabinet formation
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    • Petroleum Minister Murli Deora told the Rajya Sabha that India will not bow to any external pressure regarding its participation in the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipe line. He stated that some “outstanding” issues still remained for the finalization of the gas price with Iran. Deora added that India was sure that the IPI project was good for all the three parties involved1.

    President Ahmadinejad informed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaii had resigned from his post of vice-president on the orders of the Leader. Khamenei had indicated that appointing Rahim-Mashaii as first vice president was not in the interests of the government and could cause “rift and disappointment” among supporters of the government. There was opposition to Rahim-Mashaii’s elevation to the post of vice-president on account of his statements in 2008 in which he stated that Iran is a “friend of the Israeli people2.”

    Ahead of the formation of the new government, Mr. Ahmadinejad also sacked four ministers. These included the Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Mohammad-Hossein Saffar-Harandi, Labour and Social Affairs Minister Mohammad Jahromi, Health Minister Kamran Baqeri Lankarani and Intelligence Minister Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei3.

    In other developments, US Secretary of State Clinton asserted that Iran would not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon and reiterated Washington’s commitment to protect Israel from any threat posed by Tehran. Clinton’s remarks on extending a “defense umbrella” over the region in case Iran went nuclear also annoyed Israel. She reiterated that Washington was committed to a “diplomatic path” in dealing with Iran4.

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