Following unification in 1990, al-Iryani continued to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs for the united Republic of Yemen until 1993, when he became Minister of Development briefly before returning to foreign affairs in 1994.
Al-Iryani was appointed Prime Minister after FarajSaidBinGhanem abruptly resigned on 29 April1998.
He served in this capacity until 31 March 2001, when he was succeeded by Abdul Qadir Bajamal.