Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Javad Zarif has resigned from his post just 11 days after his appointment. In social media post, Mr. Zarif said that he is not satisfied with the result of his work as head of the steering council for selecting the new Iranian administration’s cabinet members. According to Mr. Zarif, at least seven of the 19 ministers nominated were not his first choice.

Mr. Zarif said his message was not a sign of regret or disappointment with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, but rather an indication that he has doubts about his usefulness as Vice- President for strategic affairs. Mr. Zarif stressed that he still has faith in everything he had said about Mr. Pezeshkian during the election campaign and urged the Iranian people to continue supporting the new President and his administration.

In a decree on August 1, Iranian President appointed Zarif as Vice-President for strategic affairs and head of the Centre for Strategic Studies. Mr. Zarif served as Iran’s Foreign Minister from 2013 to 2021 under former President Hassan Rouhani.