Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian (L) and his advisor, former Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, Tehran, July 5, 2024 (Saeed Zareian/WANA)
Iranians On The Presidential Election: “Unless We Come Back On The Streets, Nothing Will Change”
In a blow to Iran’s Pezeshkian Government, inauguarated less than two weeks ago, former Foreign Secretary Javad Zarif has resigned as Vice President.
Zarif was a vital presence in the Presidential campaign of Pezeshkian, a reformist whose election was approved by the Supreme Leader in an attempt to raise voter participation and to ease Iran’s economic crisis.
The involvement of Zarif — the Foreign Secretary in the Rouhani Goverement from 2013 to 2021 and Iran’s lead in the talks for the 2015 nuclear agreement — raised hopes that Pezeshkian would fulfil his pledge of “engagement” with Western powers after years of tension crippling the Iranian economy.
But on Sunday, Zarif suddenly quit, saying he would return to an academic post at Tehran University. Initial reports said he was dissatisfied with the lack of ministers in the Government, and the naming of only one woman. Zarif suggested that the President had rejected half of the ministerial nominees put forward by the Zarif-led transition team.
But yesterday the former Foreign Minister reinforced speculation that he resigned because of hardliners opposed to engagement. He said “unnamed forces” were using him to pressure Pezeshkian.
Effectively bolstering reports that the hardliners were going to accuse him of breaking a 2021 law which bars officials with ties to the West — Zarif has a Ph.D. from the University of Denver, and his children were born in the US — he said there was no violation.
In another twist, the new 1st Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, has added to criticism of the Government by claiming, “Psychologically, our society is not ready for leadership and guidance of women. This is the reality.”
Aref is now being accused of favoring the removal of Zarif from the administration.
“Zarif was a vital presence in the Presidential campaign of Pezeshkian, a reformist whose election was approved by the Supreme Leader in an attempt to raise voter participation and to ease Iran’s economic crisis.”
Pezeshkian won because he appealed to both conservatives and reformists alike.