Former Hostage Crisis Spokeswoman Named Iranian Vice President

Masoumeh Ebtaker is pictured here in an undated photo (file photo)

A female politician who once served as a spokeswoman for the hostage-takers at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran has been named a vice president of Iran.

According to Iranian media reports on September 10, Masoumeh Ebtaker was given the post of vice president for environmental affairs.

Ebtekar, 52, also served vice president during reformist President Mohammad Khatami's two terms in office from 1997-2005. She was the main spokeswoman when 52 U.S. diplomats were taken hostage for 444 days following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Ebtekar becomes the second woman named as a vice president by President Hassan Rohani.

A Tehran University professor, Elham Aminzadeh, was nominated as vice president for legal affairs.

The Iranian parliament is expected to vote on Rohani's nominations on September 11.

Based on reporting by Irna.ir, Mehrnews.com, and AP