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Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif announces resignation - UPDATED

26 February 2019 00:35 (UTC +04:00)

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stepped down on Monday, announcing his resignation on Instagram, ONA reports.

"I am apologising you for all the shortcomings ... in the past years during my time as foreign minister ... I thank the Iranian nation and officials," he wrote on his Instagram page @jzarif_ir.

"Many thanks for the generosity of the dear and brave people of Iran and its authorities over the past 67 months. I sincerely apologize for the inability to continue the service and for all the shortcomings during the service. Be happy and worthy", Zarif wrote in his Instagram blog.

Zarif played an important role in striking a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers.

But he came under attack by anti-Western hardliners in Iran after the United States pulled out of the agreement last May and reimposed sanctions that were lifted under the deal.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said “some sources have confirmed Zarif’s resignation”, but it was not clear whether President Hassan Rouhani would accept it.