**Iranian MPs have approved 18 out of 21 of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s nominees for his new cabinet.**His choice for defence minister, Ahmad Vahidi, who is accused by Argentina of involvement in a deadly 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre, won strong backing.
The president’s proposed oil minister, Massoud Mirkazemi, was also approved, despite questions over his experience.
Iran will also have its first woman minister in 30 years, in charge of health. Two other women were rejected.
The third nominee to be turned down was Mr Ahmadinejad’s choice for energy minister, Mohammad Aliabadi.
The parliamentary confidence vote followed five days of intense debate.
‘Real democracy’
Before the vote, Mr Ahmadinejad urged MPs to approve his choices, saying the ballot reflected “real democracy”. His government would work closely with parliament, he said.
Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, the health minister-designate, will now become the first woman cabinet member in the 30-year history of the Islamic republic.
KEY MINISTRY NOMINATIONS
- Defence: Ahmad Vahidi
- Interior: Mostafa Mohammad Najjar
- Foreign: Manouchehr Mottaki
- Oil: Massoud Mirkazemi
- Intelligence: Heydar Moslehi
Meanwhile, Mr Vahidi - a controversial figure internationally - received the highest number of votes in favour of any nominee, with 227 MPs backing him out of 286, Speaker Ali Larijani said.
Interpol has distributed Argentina’s warrant for Mr Vahidi’s arrest over the attack at the Israeli-Argentine Mutual Association (AMIA) 15 years ago, which killed 85 people.
Israel and Argentina had condemned his nomination, with Buenos Aires calling it “an affront to the victims” of the bombing. Iran has denied any involvement in the blast and says the case against it is politically motivated.
Each nominee had to secure the support of at least 50% of MPs to be confirmed.
The BBC’s Peter Biles says the vote is a key test of the president’s support and his hold on power, amid continuing opposition following his re-election in a contested presidential ballot in June.
The appointment of the cabinet also comes at a time of increasing pressure on the Iranian government from abroad, our correspondent says.
US President Barack Obama has given Iran until later this month to agree to new talks on its nuclear programme, or face tougher sanctions.
Iran has said it is ready to present a new package of proposals to the international community, although the details have not been published.
An aide to Mr Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that the president would attend a United Nations meeting later this month in New York.