IRAN: NEW PRIME MINISTER FINALLY NOMINATED

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81B00401R000500110020-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 27, 2003
• Sequence Number: 20
• Publication Date: August 8, 1980
• Content Type: SUMMARY

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State Morn i Y PP PM Q or Release 2003/10/07: CIA-RDP81 800401 R000500110020-6
BUREAU CAF INTELLIGENCE AND RESEARCH - ANALYSIS - AUGUST 8, 1980
1. IRAN: NEW PRIME MINISTER FINALLY NOMINATED
Khomeini's demand that the Majlis and the President stop squab-
bling may have led to yesterday s announcement that Mohamad All Rajai,
a- member of the Islamic Republican Party (IRP) and the Majlis, would
be the nominee for Prime Minister. His nomination represents a tri-
umph for the hardliners. We would expect Bani-Sadr to have little
influence in the selection of the cabinet and the formulation of,
future government policy.
Although not a cleric, Rajai is an Islamic fundamentalist who
will advocate hardline policies. He is said to be "close" to
Khomeini and to support the Islamic cultural revolution. In a speech
at Tehran's Friday mosque, July 4, he asserted that "the government,
Majlis, judicial and educational systems, women's clothing, and. other
aspects of life in Iran should be based on Islam." We are unaware of
his precise attitude toward the hostage crisis, although it would
probably differ little from the general hardline position. Rajai is
47 years old and has served as Minister of Education since September
1979.
5X1 IRP wanted Bani-
Sadr to select Jalal ad-Din Farsi (the IRP s former Presidential
candidate) as the Prime Minister nominee. Bani-Sadr's refusal to do2~1
may have caused Khomeini to fear that the continuing impasse might.
precipitate a constitutional crisis.
5X1 Beheshti may have been preparing to ex-
ercise his authority as president of the Supreme Court and recommend
to Khomeini that Bani-Sadr be impeached. Thus, in one sense, although
Bani-Sadr had to accept the IRP candidate,Rajai's nomination repre-
sents a small victory for Bani-Sadr; he was able to stop the Farsi
nomination.
Once his nomination is confirmed, Rajai will have the constitu-
tional responsibility of nominating the cabinet. That process couli5X1
take time as he works to satisfy and balance various interests.
Among potential cabinet candidates Farsi is thought to be angling
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