Iran’s government gets new spokesman

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Nov. 25 – Iran’s hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has appointed a fellow conservative as the new spokesman of his government, according to the state-run Fars news agency. Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Nov. 25 – Iran’s hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has appointed a fellow conservative as the new spokesman of his government, according to the state-run Fars news agency.

Gholam-Hossein Elham, the former spokesman of the ultra-conservative Guardians Council – the country’s highest vetting organ – was selected for the prestigious post following his recent appointment to the Office of the President.

The 12-man Guardian Council is made up of six Shiite clerics and six lay legal experts. It has veto power over all legislation and rigorously vets candidates in all national elections.

Earlier this month, Elham received the key post of Chief of Staff of President Ahmadinejad.

Iran’s previous government spokesman under the administration of President Mohammad Khatami, Abdollah Ramazanzadeh, is facing court action on corruption charges.