Zarif's offer to resign underlines the deep divide between political factions in Iran

摘要

THE resignation of charismatic Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif lays bare deep policy divisions within Iran's clerical leadership at a time of unprecedented economic hardship brought on by US sanctions. US President Donald Trump's decision to ditch the 2015 nuclear deal has certainly fuelled the internal power struggle, empowering hardliners to undermine Iran's President Hassan Rouhani. Rouhani refused to accept Zarif's resignation, saying it is against national interests as the beleaguered president tries to exploit the event to regain lost ground.