Iran’s new president wants one of the most experienced diplomats as foreign minister. He is no stranger in the West.
An experienced diplomat, one of the former main negotiators of the Vienna nuclear agreement, is to become Iran’s new foreign minister. President Massoud Peseschkian has nominated Abbas Araghchi for the post, reported the Isna news agency. The 61-year-old still needs the approval of parliament, but observers say he is certain of this.
Araghchi was ambassador to Finland and Japan. He later became deputy foreign minister under President Hassan Ruhani (2013-2021), making him number two on the Iranian nuclear team. After the agreement was concluded, he led the Iranian negotiating team in renegotiations. Araghchi is considered a supporter of better relations with the West and a direct, albeit critical, dialogue with the political arch-enemy USA. He takes a critical stance on Israel, even though observers suspect that he is against a military confrontation with the regional arch-enemy.
For President Peseschkian, the resumption of nuclear negotiations with the West is high on the agenda. Only a new agreement could lift sanctions and help the oil-rich country emerge from the almost six-year economic crisis.
On Saturday, Peseschkian confirmed Mohammed Eslami as head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). Observers suspect that Araghchi, former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was appointed Vice President, and Eslami could form a future trio for possible nuclear negotiations. Efforts to revive the 2015 Vienna nuclear agreement have been stalled for almost two years.
At that time, Tehran had committed to limiting its nuclear program. In return, UN sanctions were lifted that affected, among other things, Iranian oil exports and the banking sector. The pact was intended to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons. But after the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, Tehran no longer adhered to restrictions.
After his election victory, Peseschkian announced that Iran does not want to build nuclear bombs and asserted that they play no role in the country’s defense doctrine.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
