“As I see you on the forefront of standing up against all the unilateral pressures from the US, I don’t agree with your resignation as I believe it will be against the country’s interests,” reads a statement by Iranian President Hassasn Rouhani, published early Wednesday.
Zarif resigned two days ago in protest against several internal problems that had resulted in “undermining the Foreign Minsitry’s role in the country’s foreign policy.”
In his statement, Rouhani said he “understands and accepts” Zarif’s endeavour to keep intact the Foreign Ministry and his own “credibility and position” as the foreign policy chief of the country.
The Iranian president also went on to describe Zarif as “a trustworthy, zealous, brave and pious person as also reiterated by the Supreme Leader.”
The head of Iranian government stressed that “all state and governmental apparatus” need to have “full cooperation” with Foreign Ministry.
The tesnion happened after the Iranian foreign minister wasn’t informed about a surprise visit by Syrian President Bashar al Assad and so didn’t attend the meeting that took place at the presidential palace.
Syrian President Bashar al Assad (left) shakes hands with Iranian Preisdent Hassan Rouhani at the presidnetial palace in Tehran on Monday (Photo: president.ir)
Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday defended Zarif’s efforts in leading Iran’s foreign policy, saying “the Syrian president also thanks the Foreign Ministry’s role” in helping his country.
“We will move past this hard time,” assured the Iranian president in his statement.
Zarif’s resignation was welcomed by hardline Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who welcomed the news, saying “Zarif is gone”.
“Happiness of this nation’s sworn enemies such as the Zionist Regime following your resignation, -Rouhani wrote- is the best proof of Mohammad Javad Zarif’s success and the biggest reason so that you continue as the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foreign Minister.”
Right after this statement, Zarif wrote in his Instagram that his “only preoccupation is to elevate Iran’s foreign policy and the foreign ministry’s credibility as well as defending the national interests and rights of Iranian nation in the international arena.”
The Iranian foreign policy chief was seen today at the presidential palace accompanying Rouhani, Vice President Mahmoud Vaezi and other cabinet ministers that were receiving Armenian Prime Minsiter Nikol Pashinyan.
Armenian President Nikol Pashinyan (left) standing next to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on Wednesday. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is also seen behind them (right above) (Photo: president.ir)