Iranian President rejects Foreign Minister's resignationFebruary 27, 2019 - 13:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iranian President Hassan Rohani has rejected Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's resignation, saying it was “against the country's interests,” RFE/RL reports. "You are trusted by me and the whole Islamic establishment, particularly the supreme leader," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Rohani wrote in a letter to Zarif that was posted on the government's official website on February 27. The president called on his foreign minister to continue his work with "strength" and "courage." Zarif offered to resign in a message posted on Instagram late on February 25, amid mounting pressure from hard-liners who have criticized his role in negotiating a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. The United States pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran, fueling a deepening economic crisis and political infighting in the country. On February 27, Zarif attended a ceremony to welcome Armenia's prime minister to Tehran, the semiofficial ISNA news agency reported. In an Instagram post, the minister thanked Iranian officials and nation for their support, saying he has always been committed to serving the country. "As a modest servant, I have never had any concern but elevating the foreign policy and the status of the foreign ministry," he wrote. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |