THE Vice President of Iran, Mohammed Javad Zarif, has resign, leaving President Massud Pezeshkian’s cabinet just 11 days after his reappointment.

The moderate politician, while announcing his exit on his X handle, said: “I am not satisfied with my work and regret that I have not been able to fulfill expectations.”

Zarif hinted that the selection of ministers for Pezeshkian’s new cabinet had been the reason for his decision, as at least seven of the 19 ministers nominated were not his first choice.

His withdrawal is the second crisis for Pezeshkian since he took office at the end of July, following the killing of the leader of the Palestinian group, Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.

Zarif was Pezeshkian’s right-hand man during his presidential election campaign and due to his popularity, also played a key role in Pezeshkian’s victory.

After the election, Zarif and a group of experts were to compile a list of candidates for government posts who would implement promised reforms, but on Sunday, August 11,

Pezeshkian presented a list that observers believe did not match the plans and promises of reform.

It was assumed that Iran’s hardline arch-conservative faction imposed some ministers on Pezeshkian .

Zarif was also one of the key figures for Pezeshkian in the implementation of his new foreign policy line, having been the country’s chief diplomat between 2013 and 2021, during which, as head of the Iranian negotiating team, he was able to conclude the international nuclear agreement with the six world powers in 2015.

With him and a new team of diplomats, Pezeshkian hoped to resume the nuclear negotiations, so that the current sanctions paralysing the Iranian economy could be lifted.