Politics Iran's new president appoints moderate diplomat as top adviser

The newly elected Iranian President Massud Peseshkian appoints a moderate diplomat as his top advisor. According to Iranian media reports, former foreign minister Mohammed Jawad Sarif will advise the new president during the transition phase, particularly on foreign policy issues.

In this role, he will also oversee the selection of potential ministers for the new cabinet.

Sarif was the country's chief diplomat during Hassan Ruhani's presidency (2013-2021) and was able to conclude the international nuclear agreement with the six world powers in 2015 as head of the Iranian nuclear team. He is a proponent of better relations with the West and direct dialog with the political arch-enemy, the USA. With Sarif and a new team of diplomats, Peseshkian hopes to resume nuclear negotiations and lift the sanctions that are paralyzing the Iranian economy.

The 69-year-old Peseshkian himself is thus planning to embark on a new foreign policy course. "We want to open up new horizons and expand our friendly relations with the outside world," said the president, according to the state news agency Irna. According to Peseshkian, relations should be based on mutual respect and on an equal footing. According to officially unconfirmed reports, Sarif's former deputy, Abbas Araghchi, could possibly head the foreign ministry.

The 61-year-old Araghchi is considered one of the most experienced diplomats in Iran. He was ambassador to Finland and Japan and, after Ruhani's presidency, deputy foreign minister and number two on the Iranian nuclear team after Sarif. After the Vienna nuclear agreement, he also acted as head of the Iranian team during the renegotiations.