SAEDNEWS: A candid snapshot of Vahid Imani, spouse of Fa’ezeh Dowlaty—special advisor to First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref—enjoying a pre-dawn kale pache feast with a longtime companion has ignited conversation about personal rituals among Iran’s political circles.
According to Saed News, a photo circulating on Instagram shows Vahid Imani seated in a traditional kale pache eatery at 4 a.m., accompanied by a “dear friend” as he indulged in Iran’s storied sheep-head-and-trotter stew to “strengthen the body.” The post, shared on the eve of Muharram, combines lighthearted banter—Imani jokingly dubbed his companion “the friend of lonely moments”—with a glimpse into the private routines of those adjacent to power.
Imani is married to Fa’ezeh Dowlaty Miab, a former member of Tehran’s City Council and ex-secretary of its Social Committee, who was recently appointed by Aref as “advisor and special assistant to the First Vice President.” Her decree of appointment lauded her “meritorious experience, unwavering commitment, and successful track record,” underscoring her rising profile within the fourteenth administration.
While kale pache is traditionally consumed at dawn to invigorate the body—especially ahead of religious observances—such public displays of personal habit are rare among Iran’s political elite. Analysts suggest the post serves multiple purposes: humanizing public figures, reinforcing cultural heritage, and subtly signaling solidarity with grassroots customs.
Social media users have responded with a mix of amusement and admiration, praising the unpretentious scene while noting the contrast with the more formal image typically projected by government insiders. In a landscape where optics often matter as much as policy, this slice-of-life moment reveals how Iran’s power brokers—and their families—balance tradition, camaraderie, and the demands of public office.
