Iranian Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif stated on Monday that he resigned on Friday based on advice from the Chief Justice of Iran Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i to reduce the pressure on the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Zarif released his first remarks since his resignation on X, saying, "I visited the head of the judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i, last Saturday at his invitation. During our meeting, he advised me to return to teaching at the university to avoid further pressure on the president's administration."

He emphasized that he has "never been one to flee from difficulties and hardships throughout my four decades and more of service to this country. Despite enduring numerous insults and false accusations due to my small role in advancing the nation's interests since the nuclear agreement was reached, I have swallowed the bitterness of all lies and fabrications to avoid harming the country's interests."

سلام بر هم میهنان بزرگوار
خداوند بزرگ را سپاسگزارم که در نه ماه گذشته این فرصت را به این خدمتگزار کوچک ارزانی داشت که در جهت تحقق اراده ملت و خدمت به مردم آنچه را در توان داشتم پیشکش کنم. گرچه در شش ماه گذشته با سخیف‌ترین توهین‌ها، افتراها و تهدیدها نسبت به خود و خانواده‌ام روبرو…

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) March 3, 2025

The former foreign minister expressed his hope that by leaving his position, those who hinder the fulfillment of the "will of the people and the success of the administration" would be stripped of their excuses.

Zarif resigns amid Hemmati's sacking

Zarif resigned from his position on March 2nd after the Iranian Parliament's questioning sessions of Finance and Economy Minister Abdolnasser Hemmati, according to Fars news agency.

Zarif previously faced backlash after lawmakers in the Parliament noted that his taking such a sensitive position is illegal since his children are dual nationals. A law signed during the late president Raisi's term forbids dual nationality Iranians and their first-degree relatives from taking official positions. Zarif's sons hold American nationality since they were born in the United States.

President Pezeshkian’s administration had submitted a draft law to parliament to amend the legislation in a way that exempts individuals whose children did not acquire foreign nationality by choice, as in the case of Zarif.  

Tasnim news agency said that the resignation was not connected to the "vote of no confidence to Hemmati," after 182 lawmakers voted to dismiss him due to his handling of the Iranian currency and its depreciation, while 89 opposed the motion out of 273 lawmakers present at the session.