TEHRAN -- Former lawmaker Mehrdad Bazrpash is Iran’s new minister of roads and urban development after securing a vote of confidence from parliament Wednesday. A total of 187 lawmakers voted ‘yes’ against 64 MPs who opposed him, seven others abstaining. Bazrpash will replace Rostam Qassemi, who stepped down in November due to deteriorating health conditions. Bazrpash formerly served as the CEO of Iran’s two largest automaker SAIPA and Pars Khodro. He was also a vice president and head of Iran’s National Youth Organization.