In a stunning turn of events, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's newly appointed vice president for strategic affairs and former Foreign Minister, has resigned from President Masoud Pezeshkian's cabinet mere days after taking office.
Zarif, 64, known for his pivotal role in the 2015 nuclear deal and his outspoken criticism of Israel and the U.S., announced his departure in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday evening.
Key points:
• Zarif cites "unaddressed shortcomings" within the new leadership as reason for resignation
• He expressed shame over failure to implement "expert opinions" and fulfill promises on inclusion
• He also criticized makeup of Pezeshkian's proposed cabinet, claiming many nominees were not first choices
The unexpected resignation sends shockwaves through Tehran's political establishment, raising questions about the stability of Pezeshkian's nascent government.
Zarif's tenure as Foreign Minister from 2013 to 2021 was marked by the signing of the controversial nuclear deal with world powers, which former U.S. President Donald Trump later withdrew from in 2018.
This development comes as Pezeshkian struggles to form a government, having presented a list of 19 cabinet nominees to parliament earlier on Sunday. Zarif's critique of this list, noting that only "three were first-choice nominees," hints at deeper rifts within Iran's political elite.
As Tehran grapples with ongoing economic sanctions and regional tensions, Zarif's departure may signal turbulent times ahead for Iran's diplomatic efforts and internal politics.
* Israel National News contributed to this article.