A clear confirmation is pending. Sarif had been instrumental in the nuclear deal.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Jawad Sarif apparently announced his resignation on Instagram. „I apologize that I am no longer able to carry on my office and for all my shortcomings in my term,“ said Sarif, according to the AFP news agency on Monday evening in the online network Instagram.
The news agencies IRNA and Isna reported confirmation of resignation by a vice spokesman in the State Department. On the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, however, there was initially neither a confirmation nor a denial of the resignation.
Sarif had been a driving force behind the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. The 2015 agreement should prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. In return, sanctions should be lifted. The US has since withdrawn from the agreement and imposed new sanctions.
However, according to political observers in Tehran, Ruhani currently has no alternative for the experienced diplomat Sarif. In question would be his deputy Abbas Araghchi or nuclear chief and Vice President Ali-Akbar Salehi. But neither of them has the charisma of Sarif. (AFP, dpa)
