ALBAWABA - Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s vice president for strategic affairs, resigned from his position in the Iranian government, IRNA reported on Sunday night.
Iranian media revealed that this is Javad Zarif's second resignation request since taking office last autumn. According to some sources, both resignations were after pressure from hardliners.
It is worth noting that Mohammad Javad Zarif was the former foreign minister and chief nuclear negotiator.
Amwaj reported that the controversy surrounding Zarif started over his American-born children allegedly being dual Iranian-US citizens. In addition, according to an Iranian 2022 law, people with ties with the west shouldn't have high-key positions in the Iranian government, critics said.
In August 2024, the vice president also submitted his resignation as a vice president right after the formation of the Masoud Pezeshkian cabinet, but the Iranian president rejected it.
On his X account, Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote: "Although I faced the most ridiculous insults, slanders, and threats against myself and my family in the past six months, and even within the government, I spent the most bitter forty years of service, I persevered in the hope of serving."
He further noted that the resignation came after a meeting with the head of the judiciary, who advised him to quit to "prevent further pressure on the government".
He added: " I am still proud of my support for the esteemed Dr. Pezzekian and I wish him and other true servants of the people the best.
I apologize to the Most Merciful God and to you, the good, patient, and grateful people of Iran, for all my shortcomings."
