Zarif Criticizes Proposed Cabinet of Pezeshkian; 'My Path Back to University is Set'

Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Strategic Affairs Deputy to the President and Head of the Cabinet Selection Steering Council, criticized the proposed cabinet composition of Masoud Pezeshkian, stating that he intends to return to the university. The list of ministers presented by Mr. Pezeshkian for a vote of confidence in the parliament has faced widespread negative reactions, especially among reformists and supporters of the President during the election campaign. In a message posted on the former Twitter platform, X, on Sunday evening, August 21, Zarif referred to the 'shortcomings' in the cabinet selection process within the steering council, stating that this experience 'alongside other problems, has determined my continued path in the university.' As the head of the steering council overseeing several working groups for minister selection, Zarif was expected to play a key role in advising Masoud Pezeshkian. Media and political activists interpreted his recent stance as a sign of his withdrawal from Pezeshkian's government, which presented its proposed ministerial list to the parliament on Sunday morning. However, it has not yet been officially announced that he has resigned from his position as Deputy President. Zarif stated that of the nineteen ministers introduced, only three were 'first nominees' of the steering council, while 'six were second or third nominees and one was a fifth nominee from the committees or steering council.' This comes despite his previous promises of including women and individuals from ethnic and minority groups, as only one woman is present in the proposed ministerial list, and there are no representatives from minorities. The former Foreign Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the results of his work, stating, 'I am ashamed that I could not adequately bring the expert opinions of the committees and the presence of women, youth, and ethnic groups to fruition as I had promised.' He also added that some presidential deputy positions remain unresolved, 'which I hope will somewhat compensate for this shortcoming.' Some political activists have linked Zarif's mention of 'other problems' regarding his decision to return to the university to a law stating that children of senior Iranian officials should not be born abroad or hold foreign citizenship. Hossein Alikhani, an advisor to the President during Hassan Rouhani's administration and a former deputy in the Ministry of Intelligence, referenced this law shortly after Zarif's message on X, stating, 'This law is amendable, but its detrimental effects are irreparable.' Minou Khalighi, a reformist political activist, also stated that Zarif did not 'find a suitable candidate' for the proposed Ministry of Interior. She continued by saying that Mr. Zarif announced his 'non-participation in the cabinet' that evening to avoid bearing responsibility for the presence of ministers who are not connected to the working groups and the minister selection steering council. In Pezeshkian's proposed list of ministers, the Ministers of Justice and Intelligence from Ebrahim Raisi's government have been retained, and the backgrounds of the proposed ministers for the Interior and Education have also faced criticism. In the hours leading up to the introduction of the fourteenth government's ministers, there were reports of disagreements between Mohammad Javad Zarif and Masoud Pezeshkian and the possibility of Zarif's withdrawal. In his message on X, he also noted that 'some have considered me sensitive. I believe that over the past 12 years, in the face of unprecedented attacks, I have shown more patience and resilience than many claimants, but I am very sensitive to the views and concerns of the people.' Before the introduction of the ministers, the head and spokesperson of the Reform Front expressed concerns about the presence of certain figures in the cabinet composition.