One of Iran's most prominent reformists, Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtahi, says he is quitting the government.
Mr. Abtahi told Iran's student news agency he is waiting for reformist President Mohammad Khatami to approve his resignation, and said he expects a decision soon.
The vice president, a mid-ranking cleric, is known as one of the most outspoken members of Iran's once-strong reformist movement.
But he told the student news agency he decided he can no longer fulfill his responsibilities because of political differences with hardliners who gained control of parliament in February elections.
News of Mr. Abtahi's planned departure surfaced Monday one day after the conservative-dominated parliament impeached another reformist, Transportation Minister Ahmad Khorram. Mr. Khorram was stripped of his post over charges from conservatives of corruption and mismanagement