Iran’s Vice President, Mohammed Javad Zarif, has resigned from President Massud Pezeshkian’s cabinet, only 11 days after gaining office.
Zarif announced his resignation on X, saying, “I am not satisfied with my work and regret that I have not been able to fulfil expectations.”
The resignation is allegedly not unconnected to his dissatisfaction with the selection of ministers in Pezeshkian’s new cabinet.
Zarif stated that at least seven of the 19 nominated ministers were not his ideal picks, which influenced his decision to step down.
This is the second major hurdle for Pezeshkian since taking office at the end of July.
The first issue concerned the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Zarif, a key participant in Pezeshkian’s election campaign, was anticipated to help carry out reforms and a new foreign policy.
However, the cabinet list offered by Pezeshkian did not correspond to the reform objectives, implying potential involvement from Iran’s hardline elements.
Zarif, Iran’s chief diplomat from 2013 to 2021 and a key player in the 2015 nuclear accord, was expected to spearhead attempts to resume nuclear talks and relieve economic sanctions.
