Iran’s Vice-President Mohammed Javad Zarif has resigned from President Massud Pezeshkian’s cabinet just 11 days after taking office.
Zarif announced his resignation on X, stating, “I am not satisfied with my work and regret that I have not been able to fulfil expectations.”
The resignation is attributed to dissatisfaction with the selection of ministers in Pezeshkian’s new cabinet.
Zarif indicated that at least seven of the 19 nominated ministers were not his preferred choices, contributing to his decision to step down.
This marks the second significant challenge for Pezeshkian since he assumed office at the end of July.
The first issue involved the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Zarif, a key figure in Pezeshkian’s election campaign, was expected to assist in implementing reforms and a new foreign policy.
However, the cabinet list presented by Pezeshkian did not align with the reform plans, suggesting possible interference from Iran’s hardline factions.
Zarif, who served as Iran’s chief diplomat from 2013 to 2021 and was instrumental in the 2015 nuclear agreement, was anticipated to lead efforts to resume nuclear negotiations and lift economic sanctions.
