TEHRAN - Iran's conservative-dominated parliament approved three new government ministers named by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday despite mounting criticism of his repeated cabinet reshuffles.

Interior Minister Ali Kordan, a former deputy oil minister with previous service in the judiciary and the elite Revolutionary Guards, was confirmed in office by 169 votes to 100.

Economy Minister Shamseddin Hosseini, a former deputy welfare and social affairs minister, won the support of 217 MPs against 52 who opposed his nomination.

Following their dismissals, both their predecessors -- Mostafa Pour Mohammadi and Davoud Danesh Jaafari -- had joined growing criticism of Ahmadinejad's policies from conservative as well as reformist ranks.

Hamid Behbahani was also approved for the transport ministry by 181 votes to 88.

fpn-aet/kir