Al-Monitor | Mohammad Ali Shabani: The sudden resignation of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has predictably hit Iran�as nothing short of an earthquake. However, before engaging in analysis of which dynamics are at play ��and what the potential ramifications may be���it is useful to consider the procedural dimensions.


Zarif posted his resignation on his personal Instagram page at midnight, local time, on Monday. He expressed gratitude to �the dear and honorable Iranian people for the last 67 months,��apologizing for his �incapacity� to continue serving in his post.

Zarif�has reportedly submitted an actual letter of resignation, as is required,�to President Hassan Rouhani. The president can now either accept or reject the request. In the wake of Zarif�s Instagram post, several lawmakers ��including fierce critics of Zarif�� claimed that the foreign minister has submitted his resignation up to 14 times since becoming chief diplomat back in 2013.

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