The Crybaby Man of Iran’s Foreign Diplomacy Resigned
WANA (Mar 03) – Mohammad Javad Zarif, a well-known figure in Iranian diplomacy, has resigned for the seventh time in recent years. This time, his departure from the position of Strategic Deputy to President Masoud Pezeshkian has been finalized. His resignation, announced on March 2, 2025, was the result of months of political pressure, legal challenges, and internal disagreements.
Throughout his career, Zarif has repeatedly stepped down from various positions. From his high-profile resignation in 2019—due to dissatisfaction with foreign policy decisions and being left uninformed about Bashar al-Assad’s visit to Iran—to internal disputes within Pezeshkian’s administration, he has consistently resigned when he felt his role was sidelined or political pressures became overwhelming.
When Masoud Pezeshkian formed his government in August 2024, Zarif played a key role in selecting cabinet members. He had hoped to shape a government aligned with his diplomatic and engagement-oriented vision. However, the final cabinet lineup did not match his expectations.
Analysts believe this initial failure to influence the cabinet’s composition was the first blow to his standing in the government. In fact, after the cabinet was introduced in August 2024, Zarif initially resigned, but Pezeshkian persuaded him to stay on as Strategic Deputy. This time, however, legal and political pressures made it harder for him to remain.
Presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian and former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif show the victory sign during a campaign event in Tehran, Iran, June 19, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
The Legal and Political Struggles
The issue was clear from the start: under Iranian law, individuals whose children hold dual citizenship cannot hold sensitive government positions. Conservative lawmakers repeatedly raised this point, arguing that Zarif’s appointment was illegal due to his child’s dual nationality. There was even talk of questioning the president over this appointment. Essentially, Zarif was sitting in a chair that could be pulled from under him at any moment.
Meanwhile, some analysts argue that Zarif had little interest in staying in his role from the beginning, feeling restricted in his position. According to this view, his resignation was less about conservative pressure and more about a personal decision to leave an unfavorable situation.
Zarif’s Exit and Its Implications
Ultimately, Zarif announced his resignation yesterday. However, to avoid it being seen as a defeat, he framed it as a personal choice made in consultation with the head of the judiciary. In a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, he wrote:
“Yesterday, at the invitation of the esteemed head of the judiciary, I met with him. He advised that, given the country’s current situation, I return to academia to prevent further pressure on the government. I immediately accepted, as I have always wanted to be a help, not a burden.”
This narrative, however, was not well received by his opponents. Hamid Rasaee, a hardline conservative MP and a staunch critic of Zarif’s presence in the government, responded:
“The term ‘resignation’ applies to someone who holds a legal position. But if a person’s appointment was illegal from the start, they cannot resign—they must vacate the position after being informed of their violation!”
Zarif Confirms His Dismissal
In a tweet, Zarif announced his dismissal and wrote:
“Yesterday, at the invitation of the honorable head of the judiciary, I met with him. During the meeting, he referred to the country’s situation and advised me to return to academia to prevent…— WANA News Agency (@WANAIran) March 3, 2025
What’s Next After Zarif?
The big question is: what impact will Zarif’s departure have on Pezeshkian’s government? Some believe this resignation signals the weakening of the moderate faction within the administration and the growing influence of hardliners. With Zarif gone, it is expected that Pezeshkian’s foreign policy will shift away from diplomatic engagement.
Zarif has always been a symbolic figure in Iranian foreign policy. As the architect of the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal), he remained a key figure in potential negotiations with the West. Analysts argue that his removal from the government reduces the likelihood of Iran-U.S. negotiations in the near future. However, there is no official evidence linking his resignation to a deadlock in talks.
On the other hand, Russia, which saw Zarif as leaning toward the West, may not be displeased with his departure. In a leaked audio recording from 2021, Zarif had criticized Russian interference in the nuclear talks. His exit could be favorable for Russia, and Iranian hardliners advocating closer ties with Moscow are likely to welcome it—aligning with Russia’s interests.
With Zarif gone, figures aligned with the conservative faction and those favoring an “Eastward” foreign policy (closer ties with Russia and China) are expected to take a more prominent role.
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Zarif’s Future: Academia or a Political Comeback?
In his farewell statement, Zarif said he would return to academia. In the past, he has temporarily stepped away from politics only to return later. Given his lasting influence on Iranian foreign policy, a future political comeback cannot be ruled out.
It is fair to say that this resignation was not a sudden decision but the culmination of a predictable process. For months, Zarif held a position that was legally and politically fragile. Now, as he returns to academia, the key question remains: how will his departure impact Iran’s foreign policy, and can Pezeshkian’s government navigate diplomacy without him?
Zarif’s Contributions and Missteps
WANA (Jan 26) – Mohammad Javad Zarif’s remarks, made during the Davos summit in his conversation with Fareed Zakaria, can be analyzed from three perspectives: accomplishments, costs, and potential motivations. Starting with the positive side, his presence in such discussions reflects an opportunity for Iran’s public diplomacy. In the realm of international media, where […]
