Abbas Araghchi: Iran’s new foreign minister and his diplomacy of pragmatism

By Xavier Villar

President Masoud Pezeshkian’s pick for foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi managed to win the vote of confidence of the parliament on Wednesday, clearing the way for him to become the next top diplomat of the Islamic Republic, succeeding Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Aragchi, 61, is a seasoned diplomat with an extensive background spanning several decades.

He is recognized as one of the key negotiators of the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as ‘The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), between Iran and the world powers, which former US President Donald Trump very infamously and unilaterally breached in May 2018.

Aragchi’s diplomatic career, marked by a notable ascent, parallels his late predecessor, Amir-Abdollahian. Like Amir-Abdollahian, who passed away in a helicopter crash on May 19, Araghchi began his career as a political analyst at the foreign ministry.

Born in Tehran into a religious merchant family, Araghchi initially followed in the footsteps of his two elder brothers, who continue to manage the family business.

In his book, ‘The Power of Negotiation’, Araghchi describes how his commercial family background provided him with a unique perspective on global diplomacy.

Like many young Iranians at the time, Araghchi volunteered to fight in the Sacred Defense (1980-1988) against the West-backed Baathist regime forces of Iraq, an experience he has cited as transformative for his political outlook.

(…) Read the rest here: https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/08/21/731796/abbas-araghchi-iran-new-foreign-minister-diplomacy-pragmatism