On Saturday, October 20, Abbas Akhoundi, minister of roads in Rouhani administration announced his resignation in an open letter.

IRNA, the government’s news agency, reported that Rouhani is yet to accept or reject his resignation. Akhoundi was present today at the signing of a job creation plan in the Plans and Budgets organization. In recent months rumors of Akhoundi’s resignation had been a recurring topic.

In his resignation, Akhoundi states that he wanted to resign three times last year. He says that he is not in sync with the government policy of “maximum involvement of government in the market and the current methods of organizing the economic affairs” and that it is Rouhani’s right to have a “more cooperative minister in his government”.

In his letter, Akhoundi writes that in his opinion, “the three principles of law, respect for private property, and competitive market economy should never be undermined”. And according to him, this is exactly what has happened after “the difficult new conditions due to sanctions”.

Akhoundi’s resignation comes at a time when two ministries are without leaders and Rouhani must introduce new ministers to the Congress.

In his resignation which dates back to September 1st, Akhoundi has asked Rouhani to be replaced by the end of October.