Rouhani unveils all-male cabinet

A new Iranian cabinet unveiled by President Hassan Rouhani has prompted criticism of the all-male line-up.

Mr Rouhani is regarded as a relatively moderate figure, and supporters had hoped he would pick some women.

There has been only one female cabinet member since Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979.

The cabinet, which must be approved by parliament, also lacks Sunni members. The group makes up around 10% of Shia-majority Iran.

Mr Rouhani beat hardliner Ebrahim Raisi to the presidency in May after vowing to improve Iran’s civil liberties and rebuild ties with the West.

At a conference in February titled “Women, Moderation and Development,” he had called for a greater female presence in politics and culture.

He focused on women’s rights and promised equal employment opportunities and access to services if he was reelected. Critics now accuse the 68-year-old cleric of breaking his pledges.