TEHRAN – In a letter to the president posted on IRNA website, Ali Jannati officially resigned from his post as minister of culture and Islamic guidance.

Earlier reports carried by ISNA news agency said the three ministers of sports, education, and culture had resigned and their portfolios are now run by acting ministers.

The news came after days of rumor and speculation over the fate of Jannati, Education Minister Ali-Asghar Fani, and Sports and Youth Minister Mahmoud Goudarzi.

The source said the deputies of the three ministers have been chosen by the Rouhani Administration to replace them and hold offices for three months until the president names new ministers for approval by Majlis.

“Abbas Salehi has been appointed to replace Ali Jannati as the head of the culture ministry,” said the source.

Over the past three years, culture has been one of the main battlegrounds between rightists and President Hassan Rouhani, a self-described moderate.

Mehr news agency also quoted an unnamed source on Tuesday as saying, “Cabinet reshuffle is in the offing.” The source said ministries of sports, culture, and education would likely undergo changes.

“There is however a possibility that replaced ministers will be appointed to other positions in the government,” the source said.

According to Fars, Jannati and Goudarzi handed in their resignations on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, ISNA quoted an insider who said Fani has also “submitted his resignation to the President Hassan Rouhani” during the cabinet meeting.

A few hours before rumors of Fani’s resignation came up, a motion for his impeachment was submitted to the Majlis presiding board on Tuesday by 45 signatures.

The motion was dropped soon after the news of his resignation was confirmed.

MH/PA