Javad Zarif Returns—to a Foreign Ministry Still Out in the Cold

• Iran’s Top Diplomat Vies for Authority

“Considering that state affairs are not carried out in an optimal way free from the meddling of irresponsible persons, I am forced to resign my post to warn of potential dangers.

• By Mehrzad Boroujerdi
• FP

I do not see it fitting to stay on as a cabinet member without being able to introduce any fundamental changes in the current system.”

These were the departing words of Karim Sanjabi, Iran’s first postrevolutionary foreign minister, who resigned on April 15, 1979, after serving only fifty-five days in office.

Iran’s current foreign minister, Javad Zarif, expressed similar frustrations when he…

• Javad Zarif Returns—to a…