Iranian Vice President Mohammad Javad has officially resigned from his position, a move that has stirred political discussions and speculation about the reasons behind his departure.
Iran’s Vice-President Mohammed Javad Zarif has made a shocking decision to resign from his post, leaving President Massud Pezeshkian’s administration just 11 days after being appointed.
Zarif, who played a crucial role in Pezeshkian’s run for presidency, explained that his resignation was due to dissatisfaction with his performance and failure to fulfill the expected outcomes.
Zarif made an announcement on his X platform, indicating that the differences concerning cabinet selections held great importance. He revealed that he did not approve of at least seven out of nineteen ministers who were nominated for positions.
President Pezeshkian is confronted with another significant obstacle as this resignation becomes the second major hurdle he has encountered, following the assassination of Palestinian militant Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Due to his excellent diplomatic skills and widespread popularity, Zarif played a significant role in Pezeshkian’s victory during the elections. He was anticipated to have an important part to play in implementing reform policies for the new administration.
As a possible alternative: President Masoud Pezeshkian, identified as a reformist, has been elected in Iran.
Tensions emerged on Sunday when Pezeshkian’s cabinet list appeared to stray from the expected reformist direction, sparking rumors that Iran’s hardline arch-conservative faction may have had a hand in certain ministerial selections.
Having served as Iran’s primary diplomat from 2013 until 2021, Zarif played a critical role in brokering the international nuclear agreement with six major powers in 2015. Given his knowledge and competency, it was widely anticipated that he would be instrumental once again in restarting these talks to lift economic sanctions which have had debilitating effects on Iran’s economy.
With Pezeshkian’s leadership being put to the test, there is an air of uncertainty surrounding Iran’s political and foreign policy agenda. The absence of Zarif, a highly skilled diplomat, only further complicates this fluid situation.
