Iranian Vice President Mohammed Javad Zarif has resigned just 11 days after taking office, citing dissatisfaction with his work and unmet expectations.
Gatekeepers News reports that Zarif, a moderate politician, announced his resignation on his X platform, hinting that disagreements over ministerial appointments were the primary reason for his departure.
“I am not satisfied with my work and regret that I have not been able to fulfil expectations,” Zarif stated.
According to Zarif, at least seven of the 19 ministers nominated by President Massud Pezeshkian were not his first choice, leading to his withdrawal from the cabinet. This development marks the second crisis for Pezeshkian’s administration since taking office in late July, following the killing of Palestinian militant Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Zarif, a key figure in Pezeshkian’s presidential election campaign and victory, was expected to play a crucial role in implementing promised reforms. However, observers believe that Pezeshkian’s presented list of ministers did not align with the planned reforms, suggesting that Iran’s hardline arch-conservative faction may have imposed some ministers on the president.
Zarif’s resignation also raises concerns about the future of Iran’s foreign policy, as he was instrumental in negotiating the 2015 international nuclear agreement and was expected to lead efforts to resume nuclear negotiations and lift crippling economic sanctions.
