Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif has unexpectedly resigned just 11 days after joining President Massud Pezeshkian’s cabinet.
In a statement shared on his X account, Zarif expressed his dissatisfaction with his role, saying, “I am not satisfied with my work and regret that I have not been able to fulfill expectations.”
The resignation appears to be linked to disagreements over the selection of ministers for Pezeshkian’s new cabinet.
Zarif, who previously served as Iran’s foreign minister, hinted that his decision was influenced by the nomination of at least seven ministers who were not his preferred candidates.
This development marks the second major crisis for President Pezeshkian since he took office at the end of July, following the assassination of Palestinian militant leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Zarif, a key figure in Pezeshkian’s campaign and a central player in the 2015 international nuclear agreement was expected to be instrumental in resuming nuclear negotiations and easing economic sanctions on Iran.
However, internal pressures, possibly from Iran’s hardline arch-conservative faction, appear to have shaped the final composition of the cabinet, prompting Zarif’s abrupt departure.
His resignation raises concerns about the future direction of Pezeshkian’s government and its capacity to implement promised reforms, leaving observers to closely monitor how the president will manage this setback as his administration strives to stabilise and achieve its policy goals.
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