Resignations in Iran will complicate negotiations with West — Irina Fedorova

Speaking with Alpha News, Irina Fedorova, a senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, commented on the resignation of political figures in Iran.

“I don’t think that the ball is in the conservatives’ court in the fight between the so-called Iranian conservatives and the Iranian reformers. The fact is that the majority of conservatives are in the parliament, in the Majles, which is currently in force. But this does not mean that conservatives have more credibility in society than reformers. Vice President Zarif, who was responsible for the strategic vision of Iran’s policy, caused great discontent even during the election of the current Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, because it was Zarif who was the key figure in terms of establishing relations with the West.

And already back then, the parliament did not accept Zarif’s efforts and did not approve him for the post that the Iranian president offered him. And now, to prevent the strengthening of Westerners in all of Iran, the parliament has made such a decision. But this does not mean that it is the conservatives who have the greatest influence in all of Iranian society,” Fedorova said.

According to the expert, the resignations will complicate Iran’s negotiations with the West.

“These resignations will, of course, complicate negotiations with the West in general and, of course, with the United States, because Zarif’s figure inspires confidence both in the United States and in the West in general. Zarif was educated in the United States and played a leading role in concluding the nuclear deal. Therefore, Iran’s opportunities for negotiations with the West will become more complicated. However, we will see how the president acts further. He may offer Zarif some other position, which again will be very significant and will largely determine Iran’s position in relation to Western countries,” Fedorova concluded.