Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has dismissed his Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, in an apparent falling out over policy as Iran holds talks with world powers over its nuclear programme.
The official IRNA news agency gave no reasons for the move.
It reported that Ali Akbar Salehi, a vice-president and head of Iran's atomic energy organisation, would become caretaker foreign minister.
Mr Mottaki, a career diplomat who was appointed foreign minister in August 2005, is currently in Senegal on an official visit.
Earlier this month, at a security meeting in neighbouring Bahrain, Mr Mottaki hailed as a 'step forward' remarks by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Iran is entitled to a peaceful nuclear energy programme.
Ms Clinton had told the BBC that Tehran could enrich uranium for civilian purposes in the future, but only once it has demonstrated it can do so in a responsible manner and in accordance with Iran's international obligations.
Mr Mottaki's comments appeared to cut across the Islamic republic's official position, repeated almost daily, that its enrichment of uranium is non-negotiable.
'I thank you and appreciate the work and the services you have rendered during your tenure in the foreign ministry,' Mr Ahmadinejad was quoted as telling Mr Mottaki in a directive carried by IRNA today.
It reported that President Ahmadinejad also issued a separate directive appointing Salehi as the 'caretaker of the foreign ministry.'
'Due to your commitment, knowledge and valued expertise... you are appointed as caretaker of the foreign ministry,' the directive read.
Under Iranian law, the president has to submit his nominations for ministerial posts to parliament for approval.
Mr Mottaki's sacking comes just days after Iran held crunch talks in Geneva with world powers over its controversial nuclear dossier.
Further talks are scheduled for next month in Iran's neighbour Turkey.
Berlin today urged Tehran to continue negotiations with world powers over its disputed nuclear work, despite Mr Mottaki's dismissal.
'We hope that the negotiations which just resumed in Geneva will continue,' German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said ahead of a regular meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
Mr Salehi, who was appointed atomic energy chief in July 2009, has been a driving force behind Iran's atomic programme.
During his tenure, the country's first nuclear power plant has come on line.
