Message of Araghchi’s nomination
By Mohammad-Ali Sobhani
Former Iranian diplomat
With Masoud Pezeshkian’s nomination of Abbas Araghchi, a career and highly regarded diplomat, for the post of Iran’s foreign minister, a clear message is being sent. The president has made it clear that constructive engagement with the global community is a top priority for his government’s foreign relations agenda. Naturally, to effectively pursue and implement such a policy, seasoned officials with a deep understanding of international relations and the contentious issues between Iran and other countries are needed. Araghchi ticks all these boxes and more. With his extensive diplomatic career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and his experience as deputy to former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, during Hassan Rouhani’s administration, along with his role as a key member and lead negotiator of the Iranian nuclear team, Araghchi brings a wealth of relevant experience to the table.
One of the most pressing matters in Iran’s foreign policy is the uncertainty surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal and the ongoing strict sanctions imposed on the country. Issues in other areas, especially the economy, is intricately linked to sanctions. Recognizing this, the president has made resolving the sanctions issue a key priority for his government. In this context, Araghchi is an ideal pick for the role of foreign minister. He has the ability to forge consensus in the country on solutions to address the challenges in foreign policy.
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