Iran Guardian Council announced Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's intention to temporarily head the Oil Ministry as illegal, Iran's Pana News reported.
Late last week, Ahmadinejad dismissed former Oil Minister Seyyed Massoud Mirkazimi and two other ministers from their posts.
Ahmadinejad merged the oil ministry with the energy ministry, industries and mines ministry with the commerce ministry, and the welfare ministry with the labor ministry in a move to cut the number of government departments to 17 from 21 and boost the administration's efficiency.
Based on the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, eight ministerial structures were merged into four new ministries, including the Oil Ministry and Energy Ministry. Ahmadinejad announced his intention to temporarily head the newly oil ministry on May 16.
According to Article 141 of the Iranian Constitution, person performing specific leadership responsibilities can not hold two posts simultaneously.