Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif has resigned from his position just 11 days after being appointed by President Massud Pezeshkian. In a statement on his X account, Zarif expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, admitting that he had not met the expectations placed on him.
Zarif hinted that his resignation was due to disagreements over the selection of ministers for Pezeshkian’s new cabinet. He revealed that seven out of the 19 ministerial nominees were not his preferred choices, which led to his decision to step down.
This resignation is the second major challenge for President Pezeshkian, who took office at the end of July following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Zarif had been a key figure in Pezeshkian’s presidential campaign, contributing significantly to his victory.
Zarif’s departure is seen as a setback for Pezeshkian’s reformist agenda, especially in the realm of foreign policy. As Iran’s foreign minister from 2013 to 2021, Zarif was instrumental in negotiating the 2015 nuclear deal, marking a significant achievement in Iran’s diplomatic history. His resignation raises concerns about the influence of Iran’s hardline conservative faction on the new administration.