Politics Iran: Former nuclear negotiator to become foreign minister
One of the former main negotiators of the Vienna nuclear agreement is to become Iran's new foreign minister. President Massud Peseshkian has nominated Abbas Araghchi for the post, the Isna news agency reported. The 61-year-old still needs the approval of parliament, which, according to observers, he is certain to receive.
11.08.2024, 12:01
SDA
Araghchi was ambassador to Finland and Japan. He later became Deputy Foreign Minister under President Hassan Ruhani (2013-2021) and thus the number two of the Iranian nuclear team. After the agreement was concluded, he led the Iranian negotiating team during renegotiations. Araghchi is considered a proponent of better relations with the West and a direct, albeit critical, dialog with the political arch-enemy, the USA. He takes a critical stance on Israel, even if observers assume that he is against a military confrontation with the regional arch-enemy.
For President Peseshkian, the resumption of nuclear negotiations with the West is high on the agenda. Only through a new agreement could sanctions be lifted and the oil-rich country emerge from its almost six-year economic crisis.
On Saturday, Peseshkian confirmed Mohammed Eslami as head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency (AEOI). Observers suspect that Araghchi, former foreign minister Mohammed Jawad Sarif, who has been appointed vice president, and Eslami could form a future trio for possible nuclear negotiations. Efforts to revive the 2015 Vienna nuclear deal have been stalled for almost two years.
At that time, Tehran had committed to restricting its nuclear program. In return, UN sanctions were lifted, which affected Iran's oil exports and banking sector, among other things. The pact was intended to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons. However, after the USA withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under then President Donald Trump, Tehran no longer adhered to the restrictions.
After his election victory, Peseshkian announced that Iran did not want to build nuclear bombs and affirmed that they played no role in the country's defense doctrine.
