TEHRAN, Iran – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Thursday that Iran would not bend to Western deadlines for nuclear talks after his new government won broad backing from parliament — including a defense minister wanted by Argentina for a deadly 1994 bombing of a Jewish cultural center.
Lawmakers also gave approval to the nation’s first woman government minister since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, but rejected three nominees for the 21-seat Cabinet — the choice for the important energy ministry and two women proposed for the education and welfare-social security posts.
The wide mandate from lawmakers was a boost for the embattled president and considered a vote of confidence for his crackdowns on political opponents and tough stance against Western pressure for talks on the nation’s nuclear program or risk possible tighter sanctions.
