Iran's central bank governor has resigned, news agencies said on Sunday, after weeks of rumours about the fate of Ebrahim Sheibani who analysts said had differed with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on economic policy.
The president accepted Sheibani's resignation and a presidential order expected this week is likely to replace him with former Economy Minister Tahmasb Mazaheri, Fars News Agency reported. The agency earlier said the order had been issued.
Another news agency, IRNA, reported: "Sheibani's resignation has been accepted and it has been decided that until the order for the (new) central bank governor is issued, Sheibani will continue his activities in the same position."
There was no immediate statement from the central bank. Mazaheri's office had no comment.
Some analysts had said they expected a change at the central bank after Ahmadinejad reshuffled other top posts, such as the oil and industry ministers, earlier this month. Those ministers were seen by some as having differences with the president. Economic commentator Saeed Laylaz earlier said he expected Sheibani to be replaced because the governor had opposed Ahmadinejad on several policy issues, including the president's call to cut interest rates.