IRNA � Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono on Tuesday called his Iranian counterpart to stay in his post and not resign.

Asked about Japan�s reaction to Zarif resignation by The Mainichi�s reporter, he added, �I have held talks with Mr. Zarif several times and he is a moderate person who played a crucial role in Iran nuclear deal officially known as JCPOA.�

Noting that he wondered to see him stepping down, he said that since his resignation has not yet been accepted by Iran�s president, he is still foreign minister and �I ask him to stay Iran�s foreign minister'.

Zarif wrote late on Monday in his Instagram page that he had resigned from his post.