Iran’s Vice-President, Mohammed Javad Zarif, has tendered his resignation, stepping down from President Massud Pezeshkian’s cabinet a mere 11 days after assuming his post.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with his performance and his inability to meet expectations, the moderate politician made his announcement on a public platform. Zarif implied that his decision was influenced by the selection of several ministers for Pezeshkian’s new cabinet, with at least seven out of the 19 nominated ministers not aligning with his preferences.
Zarif’s departure marks the second setback for Pezeshkian since assuming office at the end of July, following the assassination of Palestinian militant Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
During Pezeshkian’s presidential campaign, Zarif had been a pivotal figure and significantly contributed to his electoral victory. Post-election, Zarif and a panel of experts were tasked with compiling a list of reform-oriented candidates for governmental positions. However, the presented list on Sunday was perceived to deviate from the anticipated reform agenda.
Observers speculate that Iran’s hardline arch-conservative faction might have exerted influence, resulting in the imposition of certain ministers on Pezeshkian.
Zarif had been instrumental in shaping Pezeshkian’s new foreign policy direction and had served as the country’s chief diplomat from 2013 to 2021. Notably, he led the Iranian negotiating team to successfully broker the international nuclear agreement with six world powers in 2015.
Pezeshkian had hoped to reinitiate nuclear negotiations and facilitate the lifting of sanctions strangling the Iranian economy, with Zarif and a new team of diplomats pivotal to this endeavor.