"We regret this decision." Leaked audiotape On 25 April 2021, The New York Times published content from a leaked audiotape of a three-hour taped conversation between economist Saeed Laylaz and Zarif. The taped conversation was connected to an oral history project, "In the Islamic Republic the military field rules," that documents the work of Iran's current administration. The tape was obtained by the London-based news channel Iran International. In the tape, which the Times refers to as "extraordinary" moments, Zarif criticizes Qasem Soleimani and Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and alleges that former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told him that Israel attacked Iranian assets in Syria "at least 200 times." Although the tape has not been authenticated, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman did not deny its validity. Accolades 9th Iran National Industry Champions Festivals ‘Champion of Champions of Diplomacy’: 1392 SH KhabarOnlines ‘Face of The Year’: 1392 SH TIMEs ‘100 Most Influential People in the World’ (2): 2014, 2015 Global Risk Insights ‘Person of the Year in Political Risk’: 2015 Chatham House Prize: 2016 (shared with John Kerry) National orders Personal life Zarif is married and has a daughter who is an interior decorator and a son who is a marketing consultant, both of whom were born in the United States. He met his wife in summer 1979 through his sister. They married in Iran but moved to New York within several weeks in the midst of the Iranian revolution. In addition to his native Persian, he is also fluent in English. Public image Zarif has gained a domestic reputation and popularity among the people. His "Never threaten an Iranian!" remark, during the heated nuclear negotiations, gained attention from global news agencies. According to a poll conducted by Information and Public Opinion Solutions LLC (iPOS) in March 2016, Zarif was the most popular political figure in Iran with 76% approval and 7% disapproval ratings. See also List of foreign ministers in 2017 List of current foreign ministers Iran's 2018 prisoner swap proposal to the United States References External links Articles Statement by H.E. Dr. Zarif before the UN Security Council (31 July 2006) H.E. Dr. Zarif speaks at Princeton University (August 2006) Article about Zarif's exit from the United Nations in the Washington Post (15 April 2007) French article about Zarif and his diplomat life (October 2013) 1960 births Living people Foreign ministers of Iran Iranian