Iran’s foreign minister has unexpectedly resigned.
Mohammad Javad Zarif, who played a key role in the 2015 nuclear deal, announced he was stepping down on Monday.
He thanked supporters and apologised for “shortcomings” during his service as he issued a statement on social media.
In a post on Instagram, Mr Zarif wrote: “Many thanks for the generosity of the dear and brave people of Iran and its authorities over the past 67 months.
“I sincerely apologise for the inability to continue serving and for all the shortcomings during my service. Be happy and worthy.”
He gave no specific reasons for his decision.
Mr Zarif played a role in negotiating the landmark nuclear agreement between Iran and major international powers.
But the future of the deal has recently been put into doubt after Donald Trump ended US involvement.
A spokesman for the Iranian mission to the United Nations, Alireza Miryousefi, confirmed the announcement of the resignation.
There was no immediate word on whether President Hassan Rouhani would accept it.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said "some sources have confirmed Zarif's resignation".
Mr Zarif was appointed minister of foreign affairs in August 2013 after Rouhani won the presidency in a landslide on a promise to open up Iran to the outside world.
Since taking charge of Iran's nuclear talks with major powers in late 2013, Zarif has been summoned to the parliament several times by hardline lawmakers to explain the negotiations.
In February 2014 he caused an uproar with public comments condemning the Holocaust and was subsequently summoned to parliament.
Holocaust denial has been a staple of public speeches in Iran for decades.
Some hardliners even threatened Mr Zarif with bodily harm after the nuclear deal was signed.
Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, guardedly backed the deal.
Agencies contributed to this report
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