Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has rejected Foreign Minister Javad Zarif's surprise resignation. That's according to a presidential spokesperson.
Zarif unexpectedly made the announcement Monday. And the surprising part? He did it on Instagram.
Zarif said he isn't capable of continuing in the position and apologized for his "shortcomings." In a statement later, he urged other Iranian officials to stay "fully committed to defending the country and avoid taking such measures."
While it isn't entirely clear why Zarif decided to step down, media outlets speculate it could have something to do with pressure over the Iran nuclear deal. The future of the agreement has been unclear ever since President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out last May. The deal's remaining parties have been trying to keep it intact.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo commented on Zarif's resignation, saying: "We'll see if it sticks.... Our policy is unchanged—the regime must behave like a normal country and respect its people."
