Vice President resigns 11 days after appointment over choice of cabinet members
Iran’s Vice-President, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has resigned from his position, stepping down just 11 days after his appointment by President Massud Pezeshkian.
In a statement shared on his X platform, Zarif expressed his dissatisfaction with his performance, stating, “I am not satisfied with my work and regret that I have not been able to fulfill expectations.”
The moderate politician hinted that his decision was influenced by the selection of ministers for Pezeshkian’s new cabinet, revealing that at least seven of the 19 ministers nominated were not his preferred choices.
Zarif’s resignation marks the second significant crisis for President Pezeshkian since he took office at the end of July.
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The first crisis followed the assassination of Palestinian militant Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which sparked widespread tensions.
Zarif had been a crucial figure in Pezeshkian’s presidential campaign, serving as his right-hand man and playing a significant role in securing the election victory due to his popularity.
However, after the election, Zarif and a group of experts were to compile a list of candidates for government posts who would implement promised reforms.
Pezeshkian presented a list on Sunday which observers believe did not match the plans and promises of reform.
Observers assume that Iran’s hardline arch-conservative faction imposed some ministers on Pezeshkian .
Zarif was also one of the key figures for Pezeshkian in the implementation of his new foreign policy line.
Zarif was the country’s chief diplomat between 2013 and 2021 and was able to conclude the international nuclear agreement with the six world powers in 2015 as head of the Iranian negotiating team.
With him and a new team of diplomats, Pezeshkian hoped to resume the nuclear negotiations so that the sanctions that are paralyzing the Iranian economy could be lifted.
Proofreading and editing by Fa’izatu Aliyu Doma, Journalist at Neptune Prime.
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