Iran’s foreign minister Zarif resigns via Instagram, offers apology for ‘shortcomings’

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said he is stepping down, in a surprise announcement posted to his Instagram account.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was the lead negotiator in the 2015 nuclear deal, has announced his resignation on Instagram.

“I apologise for my inability to continue serving and for all the shortcomings during my term in office,” Zarif said in a message posted on his verified Instagram account.

Zarif thanked Iranians and “respected officials” for their support “in the last 67 months”.

“Many thanks for the generosity of the dear and brave people of Iran and its authorities over the past 67 months,” the Us-educated architect of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers said.

He gave no specific reasons for his decision to step down.

Read the article and watch the report on SBS TV news (AFP-SBS).