Iran appoints first woman ambassador since revolution

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman (and newly appointed to head Iranian embassy in Malaysia) Marzieh Afkham attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on Dec. 3, 2014. The Iranian ambassador to Yeman was not hurt in Wednesday’s explosion in the capital Sanaa, the Foreign Ministry said.
(Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz)

Iran has appointed its first woman ambassador since the 1979 Islamic revolution, naming foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham to head its embassy in Malaysia.

Iranian media first said back in April that Afkham was lined up for promotion to the rank of ambassador, but the reports were unconfirmed.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif paid tribute to Afkham, who was also the first woman in the Islamic republic to serve as foreign ministry spokeswoman, saying she had carried out her duties for two years with “dignity, bravery and particular insight”.

In turn, the new ambassador to Kuala Lumpur praised Zarif for “the courage to take such a decision” and for his “trust in women”.

After his 2013 election, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani called on ministers to appoint women to high posts and said his government would stand up against discrimination, naming three women to the country’s 11 vice presidential positions.

While women may hold key posts, including in parliament and the cabinet, they cannot serve as judges and have not been allowed to run for president.