SAEDNEWS: On October 15, 2025, the Minister of Roads and Urban Development left Ardabil Airport after refusing a bag check and threatening disruption. Hours later, the provincial airport director was dismissed, raising questions about security and government influence.
According to Saed News political service, Javan reported: after a security officer attempted to inspect her bag at Ardabil Airport, the Minister of Roads and Urban Development angrily left the airport, exclaiming, “I’ll close this airport myself!” Critics quickly reacted: “Please don’t target the entire country with your pride and arrogance! Where were you just a few days ago that now you suddenly want to ‘close’ things? Increase your capacity for patience and humility.”
Once again, the Minister of Roads is in the headlines after dismissing one of her subordinates for simply “enforcing the law.” Airport security protocols require that all passengers’ belongings be checked. Yet, it seems the Minister was reluctant to comply. When an Ardabil airport officer, following standard procedure, attempted to inspect her bag, she reacted angrily, denied the inspection, and left the airport. Hours later, the airport’s provincial director, Mohammad Qassabi, was removed from his position. While managerial dismissals are not unprecedented, when a high-ranking official is involved, the issue takes on a broader significance, especially regarding aviation security and established airport protocols. This raises the question: what was in the bag that could not be seen, and why was there such insistence on bypassing the rules?
Beyond a Simple Airport Incident
The Ardabil incident—where the Minister refused to allow inspection of her personal bag and subsequently dismissed the airport director—reflects deeper challenges within the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development. The episode, which occurred on the evening of Wednesday, October 15, 2025, exposes systemic issues in a ministry responsible for critical transportation and housing projects with a substantial budget.
The Minister’s refusal to follow security protocols, combined with the immediate dismissal of a diligent manager, signals a troubling approach: law appears subordinate to personal power. This pattern, alongside her controversial management history—including an expensive trip to Kish Island and frequent executive reshuffles—underscores the urgent need for oversight and accountability.
The Event Unfolded
After attending a trilateral meeting in Baku with officials from Iran, Russia, and Azerbaijan regarding the North-South corridor, the Minister entered Ardabil. Following a meeting with local authorities, she intended to return to Tehran via Ardabil Airport. During boarding, a security officer, following standard protocol, requested to inspect the Minister’s bag.
This procedure, mandated under Article 5 of the Passport Law and ICAO standards, applies to all travelers, including government officials. According to Article 39, Clause 2 of the 1961 Vienna Convention, diplomatic immunity ends upon return to domestic territory, making officials subject to the same rules as ordinary citizens. Nevertheless, the Minister refused the inspection, threatened to close the airport, and opted for ground transportation to Tehran. Hours later, Mohammad Qassabi was dismissed, and Davood Rezainejad appointed as acting director. An eyewitness reported: “The Minister angrily said, ‘I’ll close this airport myself!’”
The Iran Airports and Air Navigation Company described the dismissal as “routine and based on managerial assessment,” but critics argue that attempts to blame media outlets for creating “controversy” appear more like a cover-up than genuine transparency.
Pattern of Unstable Management
Experts have labeled the Minister’s leadership style the “Restless Post Syndrome.” Since her appointment in August 2024, the Ministry has experienced waves of rapid personnel changes. In less than a year, the Parliamentary Affairs Deputy was replaced four times, and the Public Relations office changed leadership four times as well. Research indicates that each unnecessary managerial change costs roughly 500 million toman in direct and indirect expenses, from training new managers to project delays.
This instability has affected key initiatives such as the Tehran-Mashhad high-speed rail and the North-South corridor. Rapid reshuffles appear driven by unofficial advisors and the desire to consolidate power, eroding institutional trust and leaving technical staff unable to implement national projects effectively.
Costly Privileges and Mismanagement
One of the Minister’s most controversial moves involved a lavish trip to Kish Island in May 2025, where six close relatives stayed in a luxury hotel at nearly one billion toman of taxpayer money. The Audit Court flagged this as a violation of Article 52 of the Constitution, which mandates strict oversight of public spending. Ambiguous denials and claims of personal expense failed to quell criticism.
Meanwhile, housing initiatives—a top priority for the Ministry—have faltered. Of the 1.7 million applicants awaiting national housing, only 24,000 hectares of land have been allocated for cities with populations above 50,000. Financing bottlenecks leave 800,000 applicants without bank connections, halting projects. Progress on supportive housing remains under 30%, while restrictive Ministry policies disrupt coordination with banks and the energy sector. Construction costs have risen by 40%, exacerbating public hardship amid over 50% housing inflation. These failures have fueled parliamentary calls for ministerial accountability.
Key Takeaways
The Ardabil airport incident on October 15, 2025, raises fundamental questions: what was in the Minister’s bag that made a routine security inspection intolerable? Why did this lead to the immediate dismissal of a law-abiding manager?
Airport inspections, mandated by ICAO standards and domestic law, are critical for flight safety and apply to all, regardless of rank. The Minister’s defiance suggests either a misuse of authority, potential concealment of sensitive materials, or a misunderstanding of ministerial responsibility.
Transparency is essential to maintain public trust in government institutions. Regulatory bodies must promptly investigate the contents of the bag and the reasons for the Minister’s refusal. Whether the bag contained sensitive ministry documents or personal items, the handling of the situation highlights the need for accountability and strengthens calls for reform within Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.
