Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has rejected foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's resignation as "against national interests", bolstering a moderate ally long targeted by hardliners over the 2015 nuclear deal.
Zarif, a US-educated diplomat, announced his resignation on Monday in reported anger at being excluded from meetings that day with Syria's president.
Two days later, he was back in his position, strengthened by the president's endorsement as well as a chorus of support from moderate lawmakers.
In a letter published by state news agency IRNA, Rouhani told Zarif: "As the Supreme Leader (Ali Khamenei) has described you as a 'trustworthy, brave and religious' person in the forefront of resistance against widespread US pressures, I consider accepting your resignation against national interests."
Senior Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani said Zarif, who helped craft the pact that curbed Iran's nuclear program in return for sanctions relief, was supported by Khamenei.
The support came at a time when the clerical establishment is in a vulnerable position amid growing pressure from the US. Iranian leaders reached the conclusion Washington wants regime change after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in May last year.
In many of his speeches at the time Khamenei stressed that unity is paramount, and that remains his position as Tehran faces reimposed sanctions.
Zarif's sudden resignation after months of pressure from hardliners was reportedly prompted by his indignation at being excluded from meetings in Tehran between top Iranian officials and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
In an apparent effort to ease the tension with Zarif, Assad has since invited him to visit Damascus, according to IRNA.
Zarif's departure would have deprived Iran of its most skilled diplomat, a patient negotiator able to strike a landmark deal with often-hostile Western powers. Hardliners also needed him to work with countries such as India and China.
