No reasons were given for the shift. The news came as the now-former Minister Manouchehr Mottaki visited Senegal. He is expected to be replaced by Ali Akbar Salehi, who also serves as vice-president for Ahmadinejad.
The announcement coincides with Iran entering talks with five world leaders, the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany, over its suspected nuclear program after a long refusal.
Last week in Geneva, Iranian officials agreed to continue talks next month, but reiterated its denial to discuss a halt to uranium enrichment.
“It is something that remains forefront among our concerns,” Philip J. Crowley, a U.S. assistant secretary, said at a press briefing on Dec. 7, the day after the negotiations.
Earlier this year, the U.N. Security Council imposed stricter sanctions, including financial and technological measures, against Iran over their refusal to be open about their nuclear program, which Tehran says has peaceful purposes.
