Sadegh Kharrazi Resigns as Head of the Central Council of the Iranian Party 'Neday Iranians'

Sadegh Kharrazi, the head of the Central Council of the reformist party 'Neday Iranians', has resigned from his position. According to ILNA news agency, this occurred during a meeting on Saturday afternoon, August 31, following recent attacks and criticisms directed at Mr. Kharrazi. Kharrazi, who at one point served as Iran's ambassador to France during Mohammad Khatami's presidency, also apologized for causing 'hardship and pressure' on the members of the Neday Iranians party. ILNA reported that the text of Mr. Kharrazi's resignation is in their possession but will not be published 'for ethical considerations' at this time. The report added that this resignation is only from the presidency of the Central Council of the Neday Iranians party, and Kharrazi will now act as a 'regular member' within the organization. Meanwhile, Hassan Younesi, the spokesperson for the party, told ISNA news agency that the Central Council will decide on Mr. Kharrazi's resignation. In recent months, Kharrazi has made controversial statements in separate speeches and interviews about several figures within the Islamic Republic and against some other reformists. He has stated that 'reformists dependent on foreigners are not acceptable' and added that during his time as ambassador, 'there were those who negotiated with foreigners and provided intelligence to the enemy; I do not accept them as reformists, I have their list and if necessary, I will present it to the people one day.' Kharrazi also referred to the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Republic, stating that for the Neday Iranians party, 'a reformist means Qassem Soleimani.' Sadegh Kharrazi is the nephew of Kamal Kharrazi, the foreign minister during Mohammad Khatami's administration and the current head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, appointed by Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic. Sadegh Kharrazi's sister is also married to Masoud Khamenei, one of the sons of the leader of the Islamic Republic.