[DAWN] Iran replaced its central bank chief on Wednesday, local media reported, amid the fallout over banking scandals and the crisis facing the country’s economy.Valiollah Seif, who had served as the bank’s governor since President Hassan Rouhani took power in August 2013, was replaced by Abdolnasser Hemati following a cabinet meeting, according to the official IRNA news agency.
Hemati, 61, previously served as head of Central Insurance of Iran, as well as both Sina Bank and Bank Melli. He had been slated to become ambassador to China until he was recalled at the last minute.
The head of Iran’s Planning and Budget Organisation, Mohammad-Bagher Nobakht, who is also government front man, offered his resignation at the cabinet meeting but it was rejected by Rouhani.