Zarif leaves Iranian government
Iran’s Vice President Mohammed Javad Zarif has resigned just 11 days after being appointed to President Massud Pezeshkian’s cabinet. Zarif expressed dissatisfaction with his work and regret over not meeting expectations via his X platform. He suggested that disagreements over the selection of cabinet ministers were a key factor in his decision, noting that at least seven of the 19 nominated ministers were not his preferred choices.
Zarif’s resignation marks the second crisis for Pezeshkian’s administration since he assumed office in late July, following the recent killing of Palestinian militant Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
During Pezeshkian’s election campaign, Zarif was a crucial supporter and played a significant role in Pezeshkian’s victory. However, Zarif and a team of experts had been expected to prepare a list of candidates for government posts to drive promised reforms. Pezeshkian’s list, unveiled on Sunday, appeared to diverge from these reform plans, leading to speculation that Iran’s hardline arch-conservative faction influenced the selection.
Zarif was instrumental in Pezeshkian’s foreign policy strategy and had previously served as Iran’s chief diplomat, playing a key role in the 2015 international nuclear agreement. Pezeshkian had hoped Zarif and a new diplomatic team could revive nuclear negotiations and ease the economic sanctions affecting Iran.
