In 2005, the president failed to get his first three choices for oil minister appointed because of parliament’s opposition.
The next minister faces the challenge of boosting oil and gas output under US and UN sanctions, imposed because of the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.
The president’s Cabinet list, submitted to parliament on Wednesday, has also created controversy abroad.
The Argentine Foreign Ministry condemned the nomination of Ahmad Vahidi as defense minister, saying it was “an affront to the victims” of a 1994 attack on a Jewish center in Buenos Aires in which 85 people died.
Argentina accuses Vahidi of involvement in planning the attack. Iran has repeatedly denied any link to the bombing. Vahidi is deputy defence minister in the outgoing government.
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