Javad Zarif, Iran’s former Foreign Minister renowned for his role in negotiating the 2015 nuclear deal, announced his resignation from his newly appointed position as vice president for strategic affairs on Monday. His resignation comes less than two weeks after he assumed the role under the newly-elected reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Zarif revealed that he had resigned from his post the previous week. His resignation has sparked significant attention due to the swift departure and the high-profile nature of his previous role. Zarif’s decision was driven by several factors, with his dissatisfaction primarily stemming from the newly proposed 19-member cabinet lineup presented by President Pezeshkian.
“I resigned from the position of vice president for strategic affairs last week,” Zarif stated. He expressed regret over his inability to implement the expert opinions of the selection committees and to achieve the inclusion of women, youth, and ethnic groups in the cabinet as he had promised. “I am ashamed that I could not implement, in a decent way, the expert opinion of the committees and achieve the inclusion of women, youth, and ethnic groups, as I had promised,” Zarif said, according to AFP.
The proposed cabinet presented by Pezeshkian on Sunday included only one woman, a move that drew criticism from various factions within Iran’s reformist camp. The cabinet also faced backlash for including conservative figures from the administration of the late President Ebrahim Raisi, which contradicted Pezeshkian’s campaign promise of a more progressive and inclusive government.
In addition to his concerns about the cabinet composition, Zarif mentioned that he faced added pressure due to the fact that his children hold U.S. citizenship. This personal detail, which has been a source of controversy in the past, may have further complicated his role in the politically charged environment.
“My message is not a sign of regret or disappointment with dear Dr. Pezeshkian or opposition to realism; rather, it means doubting my usefulness as a vice-president for strategic affairs,” Zarif explained. He indicated that he would return to academia and focus less on domestic politics, signaling a shift from his recent public role.
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Zarif’s resignation is notable in the context of his significant contributions to Iran’s diplomatic efforts. Serving as Iran’s top diplomat from 2013 to 2021 under President Hassan Rouhani, Zarif was a key figure in negotiating the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the landmark nuclear deal aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program. The agreement was hailed as a major diplomatic achievement but was ultimately undermined when former President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal and reimposed sanctions.
Throughout his tenure, Zarif became a symbol of a more open and outward-looking Iran. His resignation from the vice presidency represents a dramatic shift in his career and underscores the complexities and challenges faced by reformist leaders in Iran.
The resignation also raises questions about the future direction of Pezeshkian’s administration and its ability to navigate the internal and external pressures facing the country. The new cabinet’s composition and the political dynamics within Iran will be closely scrutinized as the country continues to grapple with its domestic and international challenges.
Zarif’s departure from the vice presidency reflects not only personal disillusionment but also broader issues within the Iranian political landscape. As he returns to academia, his resignation marks a significant moment in Iranian politics, highlighting the difficulties of implementing reform and achieving inclusivity in a complex and often contentious political environment.
