Iranian President Hassan Rouhani appointed two female vice presidents on Wednesday.

Massoumeh Ebtekar, known internationally for her role as spokesperson during the 1980 US embassy hostage crisis, was named as vice president in charge of women’s affairs, having previously run the environment brief in Rouhani’s office.

Laya Joneydi was appointed as the vice president for legal affairs, while another woman, Shahindokht Mowlaverdi, was named as a special adviser for citizens’ rights.

Rouhani, who had three female vice presidents during his previous term, still has several more deputy positions to fill and it was unclear if any would go to women.

Earlier on Tuesday, Rouhani put forward a new cabinet line-up second term of office.  He took oath at the parliament’s formal session on Saturday, after winning the 12th presidential election on May 19, sweeping 57% (23 million) of the votes that brought him a second term in the office as President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Source: AFP