Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif resigns

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was the lead negotiator in the 2015 nuclear deal, announced his resignation on his verified Instagram account on Monday.

Zarif thanked Iranians and respected officials for their support in the last 67 months.

However his resignation can only take effect once President Hassan Rouhani accepts it.

Zarif played a prominent role in negotiating the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and major international powers.

Zarif has served as Rouhani’s foreign minister since August 2013 but he has faced severe criticism from hardliners since the US withdrew from the nuclear deal in May 2018.