Rouhani favours continuity with cabinet picks, as factions fight

President Hassan Rouhani largely opted for a continuity cabinet following the start of his second term on 5 August. Eight senior ministers were reappointed to the same jobs and three deputy ministers were promoted to lead their portfolios. All but one of Rouhani’s choices was approved by the Majlis-e Shura-ye Eslami (parliament) on 20 August after five days of debate. Mohammad Javad Zarif stays on as foreign minister, as do Mahmoud Alavi at intelligence, Bijan Zanganeh at oil, Rahmani Fazli at interior and Ali Rabiei at labour.