A surprise resignation of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

The visit of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad to Tehran is the reason behind the resignation of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian news agency reported.

According to the agency, the Iranian foreign minister had no knowledge of President Assad’s visit to Tehran, noting that the Iranian presidential office did not coordinate the visit with the Foreign Office, in order to attend Javad Zarif meeting with Iranian officials.

Private sources denied what the Iranian news agency reported about the reasons for Zarif’s resignation, stressing that the resignation came because of objections to the non-ratification of the regulations on Iran’s accession to the convention against the Financing of Terrorism and Money Laundering.

The Iranian government presented the draft to the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Expediency Council, which was not approved by the two councils, which prompted Zarif to resign, especially since more than a month ago he expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of ratification.

The Syrian president made a “surprise” visit to Tehran on Monday, during which he met Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani, as well as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander Qassim Soleimani.

Following Assad’s visit, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced his resignation abruptly through his official account at Instagram.

“I apologize for my continued efforts and for all my shortcomings and shortcomings throughout my service, and I wish you prosperity and prosperity”, he wrote.

However, the office of the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed that he has not yet approved the request for resignation, is scheduled to hold the Iranian Shura Council session today, to discuss the resignation of Zarif.

According to a source in the Foreign Ministry told “Fars” news agency, there is a possibility of the return of Iranian Foreign Minister to the government, and back down from his resign decision.

Zarif received his post at the head of Iran’s Foreign Ministry in August 2013 and was Iran’s envoy to the United Nations between 2002 and 2007.