TEHRAN – Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Reza Salehi-Amiri appointed Mohammad-Mehdi Heidarian as the new director of the Cinema Organization of Iran on Tuesday, the ministry announced.

Heidarian, who was a senior advisor to Salehi-Amiri, previously served as the deputy culture minister for cinematic affairs from 2002 to 2005 when Ahmad Masjed-Jamei held office as culture minister.

Heidarian replaced Hojatollah Ayyubi who held the post since 2013.

The appointment was announced a day after Ayyubi was rumored to have resigned. However, he immediately denied his resignation.

ABU/YAW