TEHRAN– Iranian Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh-Hashemi submitted his resignation to the cabinet last week, Fars news agency reported on Monday.

According to the report, Qazizadeh-Hashemi has bid farewell to his deputies and colleagues after today’s meeting at Health Ministry’s headquarters in Tehran.

The minister has not attended recent cabinet meetings which has given rise to the speculations about his pending resignation.

MP Elyas Hazrati tweeted on Sunday that Hashemi has resigned due to budget cut at health sector budget in the budget bill for the next Iranian fiscal year 1398 (starting on March 21).

According to the budget bill proposed for the next fiscal year, 350 trillion rials (about $8.3 billion) will be allocated to the health sector.

According to reports, President Hassan Rouhani has yet to accept the resignation and government officials are trying to convince Hashemi to remain in office.

MQ/MG