A former Iranian foreign minister, who played a crucial role in the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, has reportedly submitted his resignation from the government of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian. Mohammad Javad Zarif's resignation signifies a shift in Tehran's approach towards the West amid escalating sanctions imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Zarif, who served as vice president to Pezeshkian, has faced opposition from hard-liners within Iran's theocracy. This is not the first time Zarif has attempted to resign, and it remains uncertain whether Pezeshkian has accepted his resignation this time.
The resignation comes on the heels of the impeachment of Finance Minister Abdolnasser Hemmati by Iran's parliament. Hemmati's removal, while primarily focused on criticism of Iran's currency devaluation, also underscores the challenges faced by Pezeshkian, who had campaigned on a platform of engaging with the West to lift sanctions.
Zarif's resignation follows a meeting with the head of Iran's judiciary, where he was advised to step down to alleviate pressure on the government. Hard-liners had targeted Zarif due to a law prohibiting individuals with children holding foreign passports from holding public office. Zarif's children, being U.S. citizens by birth, raised concerns among critics.
Recent developments indicate a hardening of Iran's stance, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ruling out negotiations with the U.S. Trump's administration has intensified sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to increase its uranium production. While Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, U.S. intelligence agencies suggest otherwise.
The escalating tensions have raised concerns about the possibility of further conflict, especially as both Israel and the U.S. have vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The situation remains fluid, with the region bracing for potential escalation amid geopolitical uncertainties.
