Iran: Javad Zarif resigns as vice-president over ‘dissatisfaction’, dual citizenship row

Iran's former foreign minister Javad Zarif, who played a pivotal role in negotiating the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, announced on Monday (August 12) that he has resigned as the nation's vice president for strategic affairs.

His resignation comes less than two weeks after his appointment by Iran's newly elected reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Why did he resign?

Javad Zarif took to the social media platform, X, to explain his resignation.

He expressed concerns that his continued presence in the government could be perceived as disruptive.

"To avoid any suspicions or excuses for disrupting the work of the government… I resigned from the position of vice president for strategic affairs last week."

He also expressed disappointment with the composition of the newly proposed 19-member cabinet, particularly the lack of diversity and inclusion of women, youth, and ethnic groups, which he had hoped to see.

"I am ashamed that I could not implement, in a decent way, the expert opinion of the committees (responsible for selecting candidates) and achieve the inclusion of women, youth and ethnic groups, as I had promised," Zarif stated.

Just a day earlier, on Sunday, Pezeshkian presented his cabinet to the parliament for approval — only including one woman.

His dissatisfaction was compounded by the inclusion of conservatives from the previous government of Ebrahim Raisi in the proposed cabinet, a move that drew criticism from Iran's reformist camp.

Zarif also acknowledged facing pressure due to his children's US citizenship, which conflicts with an Iranian law enacted in October 2022. This law prohibits the appointment of those "who themselves, their children or their spouse have dual citizenship" to sensitive jobs and positions.

In his resignation message, Zarif clarified that his decision was "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 served as Iran's top diplomat from 2013 to 2021 under President Hassan Rouhani. He gained international recognition for his role in the negotiations leading to the 2015 nuclear accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

(With inputs from agencies)