Iran’s Vice President for Strategic Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has announced his decision to step down following a meeting with the head of Iran’s judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei.
In a post on X, Zarif explained that Ejei urged him to return to academia, citing the current political climate and the need to ease pressure on the government. Zarif said he would always be proud of his support for President Masoud Pezeshkian and wished the president and his administration success.
Zarif also acknowledged that over the past six months, he has faced insults, defamation, and threats, but remained committed to serving his country despite the challenges.
On Sunday evening, Fars News Agency reported that Zarif had submitted his resignation, although the president had yet to formally accept it.
Zarif’s resignation comes amid ongoing speculation in Iranian media about whether his children hold US citizenship, which some claim makes his appointment illegal.
This is actually the second time Zarif has tried to resign since the formation of Pezeshkian’s government. The first attempt was on August 11, just ten days after taking office, when he expressed dissatisfaction with his role as head of the Consultative Council, a body created to assist with selecting cabinet ministers after Pezeshkian’s election. At that time, the president rejected his resignation and convinced him to stay.
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Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials