Javad Zarif

Zarif's opponents argued that his appointment to a sensitive position violated a 2022 law because his children, born in the United States, held American citizenship. The controversy fuelled repeated pressure over his presence in government. In March 2025, Zarif left his post, stating that a senior official had advised him to resign to ease pressure on the executive.

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Directly implicated

A few days after his appointment as Vice-President for Strategic Affairs, Zarif announced his resignation, expressing disappointment that Pezeshkian's cabinet did not sufficiently reflect the selection committees' recommendations or promises of greater representation for women, young people and minorities. He subsequently returned to his position.

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Directly implicated

A lengthy confidential interview with Zarif was leaked in April 2021. In it, he described diplomacy as frequently subordinated to the military "field", criticised the influence of the Quds Force and discussed disagreements with Qasem Soleimani and Russia's role. The remarks triggered a political storm; conservatives demanded his resignation or prosecution.

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Personally implicated

Zarif announced his resignation in February 2019. Iran's Foreign Ministry subsequently explained that he had not been informed of Bashar al-Assad's visit to Tehran, during which Assad met Khamenei and Rouhani in the presence of Qasem Soleimani, and that this marginalisation had been one reason for his decision.

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Political responsibility

Questioned in Tehran about executions of people accused of same-sex relations, Zarif did not directly deny the practice and responded that Iranian society had "moral principles" and that the law must be respected. Human rights organisations interpreted the response as a justification for extremely severe criminal penalties against same-sex relations.

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Personally implicated

In July 2019, the United States placed Mohammad Javad Zarif under sanctions, describing him as a senior representative of the regime and the Supreme Leader abroad. The measure froze any assets under US jurisdiction and sought to restrict his financial dealings.

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Directly implicated

Zarif stated that large-scale money laundering was a reality in Iran and that powerful interests could be affected by rules designed to combat it. Conservative MPs accused him of tarnishing the country's image and initiated impeachment proceedings.

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Personally implicated

During an interview in the United States, Zarif stated that Iran did not imprison people for their opinions, in response to a question about detained journalist Jason Rezaian. Activists, former detainees and human rights organisations immediately challenged the claim, citing numerous political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.

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Personally implicated

During the 2015 nuclear negotiations, ultraconservative MPs accused Zarif and his team of crossing the Supreme Leader's red lines and making too many concessions; one MP publicly accused him of "treason". The confrontation was so intense that Khamenei urged parliamentarians not to insult the negotiators.

State of the evidence

Allegations

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Political responsibility

In September 2015, Zarif encountered Barack Obama at the UN and shook his hand, the first such exchange between a senior Iranian official and a US President in decades. Conservative MPs and students denounced the gesture as crossing "red lines", and some demanded an investigation.

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Directly implicated