On February 25th, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif submitted his resignation shortly following his Munich Security Conference attendance. This seemingly abrupt resignation has surprised many and added further uncertainty to the future of Iran’s compliance with nuclear limitations. Explaining his decision, Zarif cited disagreements over both foreign policy and the continuation of the Iran Nuclear Deal. Educated in the United States and generally viewed as a moderate decision maker, Zarif was a pivotal player in negotiations surrounding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). While Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has not yet accepted the Foreign Minister’s resignation, it is widely believed that the departure of Zarif could signal the end of Iranian adherence to the JCPOA and the eventual reactivation of the Iranian nuclear weapons development program.
