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President Rouhani and 135 Members of Parliament Back Zarif as Iran's Foreign Minister

February 27, 2019

 

Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, and his Foreign Minister, Jawad Zarif	Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad, welcomed by the Iranian leader, Ali Khamenie, February 26, 2019

 

‘Rouhani believes there is only one foreign policy, one foreign minister’

Tehran Times, February 26, 2019

TEHRAN - President Hassan Rouhani fully backs his chief diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif, who resigned on Monday night, and believes that Iran has only “one foreign policy and one foreign minister”, presidential chief of staff Mahmoud Vaezi said on Tuesday.

Zarif announced his resignation in a tweet on his Instagram. So far Rouhani has not accepted Zarif's resignation.

"The words of the president today in praising his foreign minister are a clear sign of the satisfaction of the representative of the people of Iran about the wise and effective positions and work of Dr. Zarif and a tough response to some biased and incorrect analyses," Vaezi wrote in an Instagram post that included a picture of Rouhani and Zarif together, Reuters reported.

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Iranian parliament wants Zarif to stay in his job

Tehran Times, February 26, 2019

TEHRAN –

In a letter to President Rouhani on Tuesday, 135 MPs asked President Rouhani to seriously reject resignation by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Zarif had been serving in the capacity of foreign minister since Rouhani was elected president in the summer of the 2013.

Zarif announced his resignation in a post on his Instagram on Monday night.   “I am grateful for magnanimity of the dear and courageous people of Iran and the respectable authorities’ over the past 67 months,” Zarif said.

“I sincerely apologize for inability to continue [my] service and all the shortcomings and flaws during [my] tenure,” he added. “May you be happy and proud.”

 ‘Shocking report of resignation’

In their letter the MPs described Zarif’s decision to quit his post as “shocking”.

“The shocking and surprising report of the resignation of Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif as the most committed, cherished, and competent minister in the eleventh and twelfth administrations… caused sorry and concern,” part of the MPs’ letter said, according to the Mehr news agency.   The MPs, who described Zarif as the treasure of the Iranian diplomacy, said his resignation delighted the enemies of the country.

“We as the representatives of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis), while thanking the wholehearted efforts of Dr. Zarif and insistence on his services as the head of the country’s diplomacy, emphasize the need for more unity and coordination in areas of diplomacy and international relations and want Your Excellency (the president) to seriously oppose the resignation of the foreign minister to end the worries of the representatives.”

Prior to the letter by the 135 MPs, the spokesman for the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee said a majority of lawmakers have signed a letter expressing support for Zarif and want him to remain in his post.

“So far the majority of representatives have signed the letter, ... in this letter we want Zarif to remain in his job,” Ali Najafi Khoshroudi said, IRNA reported.

Zarif is greatly loved by the Iranians. He played an instrumental role in drafting the international nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with the 5+1 group. Though Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran, it did not lead the foreign minister to lose his popularity.     Following his resignation, a number of diplomats and foreign policy officials also announced their resignation. However, Zarif asked them to seriously avoid such a move.

“I insist that all brothers and sisters at the Foreign Ministry and embassies to continue conducting their duties quite firmly… and strongly avoid such actions,” Zarif remarked.   Zarif said he hoped that his resignation would serve as a wakeup call so that the Foreign Ministry can find its “legal place” in foreign policy.

Masoud Pezeshkian, the first deputy parliament speaker, called Zarif a capable diplomat that the country should not deprive itself of his competence at the current situation.   “The Leader has repeatedly addressed Zarif as a committed person,” Pezeshkian added.

 ‘It is very unlikely that Rouhani accept Zarif resignation’

Ali Motahari, the second deputy parliament speaker, said it is very unlikely that Rouhani accept Zarif’s resignation because there is no such a highly competent person to replace him.

On reasons behind Zarif’s resignation, Motahari said, “I do not have information about his resignation and he himself should explain.”  However, Motahari, said, “As far as I know it is because of meddling by irresponsible bodies in the country’s foreign policy.”

In a post on his tweeter, Information and Technology Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi requested Zarif to withdraw his resignation, saying, “Do not sit brother. Stand up dear Javad! People are worried.”

Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said Zarif had resigned several times in the past but disclosing his resignation this time shows that he wants “the president to accept his resignation”.

According to Falahatpisheh, the parliamentary committee was set to study the resignation in a special session on Tuesday.

The vice president for parliamentary affairs, Hossein-Ali Amiri, who was visiting Ahvaz said it is unlikely that the president would accept the resignation.

Amiri also expressed hope that Zarif would withdraw his resignation.

He said Zarif is not only a “hard-working” and “faithful” person he is also a “seasoned diplomat” who has a good command of his job.

“Zarif is quite trusted by the president, and in these years Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution has frequently called him a faithful and revolutionary person.”

Rouhani thanks Zarif, Zanganeh and Hemati

In remarks on Tuesday, Rouhani thanked Zarif, Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnasser Hemati for their competence and resistance in the face of sanctions, saying they are at the “forefront” of resistance against the United States.

According to ISNA, MP Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi said Zarif’s resignation is “more saddening” than the fall of Mohammad Mosaddegh’s government.

In a post on his Instagram, the MP said, “The world and Iran has lost a noble, patriotic, peaceful and popular politician.”

He added, “The history will not forgive us if we leave Zarif alone.”

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Washington's policy towards Tehran will not change even if Zarif has resigned.

"We note @JZarif’s resignation," Pompeo said in a Twitter post on Monday. "We’ll see if it sticks… Our policy is unchanged — the regime must behave like a normal country and respect its people."

Netanyahu upbeat over Zarif resignation

Writing on his Twitter account, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed joy over Zarif’s resignation, saying, “Zarif is gone - good riddance.”

Zarif was a great barrier against Israel, U.S., Saudi Arabia

Morteza Moradian, Iran’s ambassador to Denmark, expressed deep concern over decision by Zarif to leave his post, saying Zarif was a great hurdle against Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and Israel.   

“Just see outside the country who are happy over Zarif’s resignation. Zarif was a person that highest ranking officials in the U.S., Israel and Saudi attacked him directly. He was a great obstacle to them,” Moradian tweeted.

Mohsen Hashemi, the chairman of the Tehran City Council, expressed hope that Zarif would return to his job with a strong support by the president.  

Hashemi, son of the late President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, said Zarif’s resignation has caused worry among the people.

He said Zarif has been one of the “most successful” diplomats of the country and Hashemi Rafsanjani had a special trust on him and the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has thanked him many times in the recent years.

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Senior MP: Assad's Visit Aimed at Demanding Iran's Continued Support

TEHRAN (FNA)-

A senior Iranian legislator said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visited Tehran on Monday to ask the country for continued support for Syria and the resistance front.

"Bashar Assad's visit to Iran was mainly aimed at appreciating the Islamic Republic of Iran and our nation for its efforts and supports and he demanded Iran to remain beside Syria and strengthen the resistance front as this companionship leaves important effects on the regional and international scene," member of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Seyed Reza Naqavi Hosseini said on Tuesday.

He noted that Iran's assistance led to the victories in Syria and foiled the US plots.

"Syria had for years been entangled in terrorism and aggressions of countries like the US, Britain, France and the Zionist regime and they clearly interfered in Syria's affairs and endangered Syria's territorial integrity and the legal government's independence," Naqavi Hosseini said.

President Assad arrived in Tehran on Monday and rushed to meet Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

During the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei praised the Syrian nation’s resistance in face of enemies’ plots, and said the key to Syria's victory as well as the United States and its regional mercenaries' defeat is Syrian president and people's resolve and resistance.

Stressing the necessity for prudence when encountering future plots, the leader said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran regards helping the Syrian government and nation as assisting the Resistance movement, and genuinely takes pride in it."

Pointing to the Islamic Republic of Iran's honest stance and staying by the government and the people of Syria from the beginning of the crisis, Ayatollah Khamenei added, "Syria, with its people's persistence and unity, managed to stand strong against a big coalition of the US, Europe and their allies in the region and victoriously come out of it."

Considering the victory of the resistance in Syria as the cause for the United States of America’s anger their desperate efforts to hatch new plots, the Supreme Leader made reference to an example and said, "The question of a buffer zone in Syria that the Americans are trying to create is one of their dangerous plots that must be firmly rejected and opposed."

He counted the US's plan for having an influential presence Iraq-Syria border as another example of their plots, and said, "Iran and Syria are strategic allies and the identity and power of Resistance depend on their continuous and strategic alliance, because of which, the enemies will not be able to put their plans into action."

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to a calculation mistake that the enemies made with regard to the matter of Syria, and stated, "Their mistake was that they took Syria for some Arab states; whereas, (even) in those countries, the people’s movement was in favor of the Resistance and in fact, there was an uprising against the US and their mercenaries there."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also highlighted the need for strengthening and developing the religious relations and exchange of religious scholars between Iran and Syria. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining the spirit of resistance and enhancing the power of Syria’s nation and government, Ayatollah Khamenei addressed Syria’s president, by saying "with the resistance you manifested, you have become a hero in the Arab world; and the resistance has gained more power and dignity, thanks to you."

Syria’s president referred to some analysis that regarded Syria as done, and said, "Iran and Syria have nations who enjoy identity and faith; and today’s achievements although gained by efforts and losses, are surely the outcomes of persistence with the movement of Resistance.

Bashar Al-Assad reminded the huge losses that some countries underwent following their surrendering to the US and stated, "Many countries were submissive to the US and thought that the US determines the world’s fate and future; however resistance by some nations disturbed this false perception."

Referring to cases of efforts made by US and allies in the region, trying to sow discord among ethnic and religious groups in Syria, the President of Syria went on to say, "These efforts have had reverse results, and today in Syria, the Kurds and nomads have good relations with the government and even some groups that previously had some conflicts and differences with the government, are today cooperating with it, despite what the US and Saudi Arabia desired."

Assad called strengthening the ties between Syrian and Iranian scholars as an important opportunity for countering Takfiri groups, and maintained, "Iran and Syria should continuously develop their economic relations; because developments of relations will act as an important factor in annulling the enemies’ plots against the two nations."

Also in his meeting with Assad, President Rouhani referred to Iran's seriousness for cooperation and helping the Syrian government in the process of reconstruction of Syria and consolidating security and peace in the country, adding, "The Islamic Republic of Iran will stand by the Syrian government and people like before."

Arab Paper: Assad's Visit to Iran Aimed at Making Strategic Decisions

TEHRAN (FNA)-

A leading Arab newspaper stressed that the Monday visit by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Tehran indicated that Tehran and Damascus are preparing to take highly important decisions given the recent regional developments.

"The balances and equations in the region, specially in Syria, are in a sensitive stage and they need decisions at a level that necessitated the meeting between Assad and Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei," Nasser Qandil, a prominent Arab analyst, wrote in the Arabic-language Lebanese newspaper al-Binaa on Tuesday.

He added that the trip was also made as time is ticking for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to find a way out of the dire situation in Idlib to prevent the Syrian army's military operations against the terrorists in the province.

The analyst wrote that Assad's meetings with the highest-ranking Iranian officials also came at a time when the US has adopted a tricky approach towards withdrawal of its forces in Syria after targeting the country's territorial integrity and unity.

Bashar Assad's visit also outpaced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trip to Moscow and sends this message that Israel should pay the price for any possible future attacks against Syria, he added.

President Assad arrived in Tehran on Monday and rushed to meet Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

During the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei praised the Syrian nation’s resistance in face of enemies’ plots, and said the key to Syria's victory as well as the United States and its regional mercenaries' defeat is Syrian president and people's resolve and resistance.

Stressing the necessity for prudence when encountering future plots, the leader said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran regards helping the Syrian government and nation as assisting the Resistance movement, and genuinely takes pride in it."

Pointing to the Islamic Republic of Iran's honest stance and staying by the government and the people of Syria from the beginning of the crisis, Ayatollah Khamenei added, "Syria, with its people's persistence and unity, managed to stand strong against a big coalition of the US, Europe and their allies in the region and victoriously come out of it."

Considering the victory of the resistance in Syria as the cause for the United States of America’s anger their desperate efforts to hatch new plots, the Supreme Leader made reference to an example and said, "The question of a buffer zone in Syria that the Americans are trying to create is one of their dangerous plots that must be firmly rejected and opposed."

He counted the US's plan for having an influential presence Iraq-Syria border as another example of their plots, and said, "Iran and Syria are strategic allies and the identity and power of Resistance depend on their continuous and strategic alliance, because of which, the enemies will not be able to put their plans into action."

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to a calculation mistake that the enemies made with regard to the matter of Syria, and stated, "Their mistake was that they took Syria for some Arab states; whereas, (even) in those countries, the people’s movement was in favor of the Resistance and in fact, there was an uprising against the US and their mercenaries there."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also highlighted the need for strengthening and developing the religious relations and exchange of religious scholars between Iran and Syria. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining the spirit of resistance and enhancing the power of Syria’s nation and government, Ayatollah Khamenei addressed Syria’s president, by saying "with the resistance you manifested, you have become a hero in the Arab world; and the resistance has gained more power and dignity, thanks to you."

Syria’s president referred to some analysis that regarded Syria as done, and said, "Iran and Syria have nations who enjoy identity and faith; and today’s achievements although gained by efforts and losses, are surely the outcomes of persistence with the movement of Resistance.

Bashar Al-Assad reminded the huge losses that some countries underwent following their surrendering to the US and stated, "Many countries were submissive to the US and thought that the US determines the world’s fate and future; however resistance by some nations disturbed this false perception."

Referring to cases of efforts made by US and allies in the region, trying to sow discord among ethnic and religious groups in Syria, the President of Syria went on to say, "These efforts have had reverse results, and today in Syria, the Kurds and nomads have good relations with the government and even some groups that previously had some conflicts and differences with the government, are today cooperating with it, despite what the US and Saudi Arabia desired."

Assad called strengthening the ties between Syrian and Iranian scholars as an important opportunity for countering Takfiri groups, and maintained, "Iran and Syria should continuously develop their economic relations; because developments of relations will act as an important factor in annulling the enemies’ plots against the two nations."

Also in his meeting with Assad, President Rouhani referred to Iran's seriousness for cooperation and helping the Syrian government in the process of reconstruction of Syria and consolidating security and peace in the country, adding, "The Islamic Republic of Iran will stand by the Syrian government and people like before."

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