Iran’s Reformist VP Ousted: A Door Closes to the West
Iran’s reformist government has suffered a significant setback with the forced resignation of Mohammad Javad Zarif, its most prominent reformist figure. Zarif, who served as vice president for strategic affairs, stated that he had been ordered to step down by an unnamed senior official. While he refrained from directly mentioning Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his remarks strongly implied the decision had Khamenei’s approval.
His removal follows the recent impeachment of Economy Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati, as Iran’s conservative factions escalate their efforts to weaken President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration. Hardliners, long hostile to Pezeshkian’s reformist agenda, have used the country’s worsening economic crisis—particularly the sharp decline of the currency—to push for a shift in policy.
Although many of Iran’s economic troubles predate Pezeshkian’s presidency, conservatives have placed the blame squarely on his government for failing to halt the downturn. The consecutive dismissals have only deepened uncertainty, triggering further stock market losses as businesses grow increasingly wary of a political climate that appears to be shutting the door to the West.
Who is Mohammad Javad Zarif?
Mohammad Javad Zarif, a career diplomat and Iran’s most prominent reformist, has been the country’s most articulate voice in presenting its foreign policy to Western audiences. Serving as foreign minister from 2013 to 2021 under moderate President Hassan Rouhani, he was instrumental in shaping Iran’s international engagements and played a key role in Pezeshkian’s presidential campaign, effectively running as his closest ally.
Zarif is widely recognized for his role in negotiating the 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which eased Western sanctions in exchange for independent UN inspections to ensure Iran’s nuclear program remained strictly civilian. Throughout his career, he has advocated for a stronger role for the foreign ministry in shaping Iran’s international policy, challenging the dominance of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in foreign affairs.
Throughout his career, he has been a frequent target of hardliners, particularly over allegations that his American-born children hold dual Iranian-US citizenship. Opponents, many of whom reject negotiations with the US, argue that his appointment violated a 2022 law barring individuals with Western ties from holding senior government positions. Concerns over his children’s nationality, stemming from his tenure as a diplomat in the US, were among the reasons he initially attempted to resign from Pezeshkian’s administration in August 2024.
His appointment as vice president for strategic affairs—a role created largely to accommodate him—was widely seen as an effort by the reformist government to restore ties with the US and Europe and to ease Iran’s economic struggles under severe sanctions. However, this strategy now faces significant obstacles, as President Donald Trump—who withdrew the US from the nuclear deal in 2018 and reinstated crippling sanctions—has adopted an even more hardline approach toward Iran, leaving little room for diplomatic maneuvering.
Conservatives Tighten Grip
In his resignation note, Zarif suggested that his departure was not voluntary, highlighting the growing influence of conservatives over reformists within the administration and fueling internal discontent. A high-ranking official had reportedly instructed Pezeshkian to dismiss him and send him back to academia. Pezeshkian refused, instead insisting that the directive be delivered to Zarif directly.
Pezeshkian himself appears uneasy with the conservative push to sideline Zarif and other reformists. With Donald Trump expected to take a more confrontational stance in the coming days, reformists are likely to face increasing pressure, as his administration is unlikely to engage meaningfully with Iran. This shift could further reinforce conservative claims that diplomacy with the West is futile.
Trump’s push to reinstate maximum economic sanctions has already weakened reformists advocating for a new global agreement on nuclear oversight. A deepening economic crisis could provide conservatives with a pretext to tighten their grip on power, potentially leading to further crackdowns on reformist elements within the government. Meanwhile, conservatives have cited Trump’s recent Oval Office humiliation of Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a cautionary tale for those in Iran who still believe negotiations with the U.S. president are possible.
What Happens Next?
The Islamic Republic of Iran is facing mounting pressure, not only from external forces but also from its own citizens. Protests against the regime are becoming increasingly visible, amplified by social media, where pre-Islamic Persian sentiments are resurging. Amid this unrest, Iran’s economy continues to deteriorate, and Trump’s sanctions are likely to accelerate its decline, further fueling public discontent toward the regime.
In this context, the regime may seek to shift blame onto the reformist government while allowing conservatives to reclaim control in an effort to preserve the Islamic Republic. Recent developments suggest that the regime, which initially attempted to negotiate a path forward with Pezeshkian and Zarif, is now reasserting control.
