Javad Zarif stands down as Iran’s vice-president

KABUL (Pajhwok): Iran’s Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif resigned on Monday from his post, says a media report.

IRNA reported: “Zarif had tendered his resignation to the president, who is yet to make an official statement on the matter.”

On his X platform, Zarif wrote: “I hope with my stepping aside, the excuses for obstructing the will of the people and the success of the government will be removed”.

He said the Iranian judiciary had asked him to resign from his position.

“Yesterday, I went to visit him at the invitation of the esteemed head of the judiciary. Referring to the country’s conditions, he recommended that I return to university to prevent further pressure on the government. I also immediately agreed,”

This is the second time that Zarif has resigned. Previously, he had quit as vice president for strategic affairs, expressing dissatisfaction with the composition of the cabinet proposed by Dr. Pezeshkian. But Pezeshkian rejected his resignation and he remained in his position.

His resignation comes as Iranian parliament dismissed Minister of Economy Nasser Hemmati due to the foreign exchange market situation.

Zarif served as Iran’s foreign minister for eight years in the Hassan Rohani’s administration.

hz/mud