After 34 years, Iran appoints female diplomat

Iran is set to appoint women to key diplomatic roles for the first time since it became an Islamic republic 34 years ago, an official said Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will next week name the new ambassador to an as yet unspecified country, as well as the ministry’s new spokeswoman, a spokesman said.

President Hassan Rouhani earlier this month named Elham Aminzadeh, a law professor and former legislator, as vice president for legal matters.