Rouhani Rejects Foreign Minister's Resignation 

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has rejected the resignation of his foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, reports the semi-official Fars news agency. 

In a letter released on Wednesday, Rouhani praised the foreign minister and declined to accept his resignation. 

To accept would be against the national interests of Iran, said Rouhani. 

Zarif announced his resignation on Monday in a social media post. 
    
Observers have speculated about the motivations for the surprise announcement, noted the Jerusalem Post. 

The foreign minister was reportedly displeased when he was not invited to attend a high-level meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, reported the Iranian Students News Agency. 

Others noted Zarif's displeasure with the growing influence of hardline factions, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). 

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly asked Zarif not to resign. Several diplomats also threatened to step down if the resignation was accepted. 

It was not immediately clear what would happen next, but it is believed that Zarif will return to work, reported USA Today.