Sayyid Abbas Araghchi (Persian: سید عباس عراقچی, pronounced [ʔæbˌbɒːse æɾɒːˈɢtʃi] ; born 1960) is an Iranian diplomat and politician, who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran since August 2024. He previously served as the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador.
Abbas Araghchi | |
---|---|
سید عباس عراقچی | |
Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
Assumed office 21 August 2024 | |
President | Masoud Pezeshkian |
Preceded by | Hossein Amir-Abdollahian Ali Bagheri (Acting) |
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Acting | |
In office 11 May 2013 – 30 August 2013 | |
President | Mahmoud Ahmadinejad |
Preceded by | Ramin Mehmanparast |
Succeeded by | Marzieh Afkham |
Ambassador to Japan | |
In office 28 October 2007[1] – November 2011 | |
President | Mahmoud Ahmadinejad |
Preceded by | Mohsen Talaei |
Succeeded by | Reza Nazarahari |
Ambassador to Finland Accredited Ambassador to Estonia | |
In office 1999–2003 | |
President | Mohammad Khatami |
Preceded by | Hossein Rezvani |
Succeeded by | Javad Kachoueian |
Personal details | |
Born | 1960 (age 63–64)[2] Tehran, Imperial State of Iran[2] |
Alma mater | School of International Relations Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch University of Kent |
Awards | Order of Merit and Management (2nd class)[3] |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Iran |
Branch/service | Revolutionary Guards |
Years of service | 1979–1989[4] |
Battles/wars | Iran–Iraq War |
Personal Life
editAraghchi was born in December 1962 in Tehran into a traditional family. He has three sisters and three brothers, most of whom are involved in trade and commerce. His grandfather was a carpet trader, and he lost his father at the age of 17. His two older brothers hold significant positions, with one being a member of the Board of Directors of the Exporters Union, and the other a member of the Sellers Union. His nephew, Seyed Ahmad Araghchi, served as the Deputy Governor for Foreign Exchange Affairs at the Central Bank of Iran from 2017 to 2018, but was dismissed and arrested by the judiciary following fluctuations in the foreign exchange market. Araghchi is married to Bahareh Abdollahi, and they have two sons and a daughter.[5]
Education
editAbbas Araghchi earned his Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the School of International Relations, affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He then obtained a Master's degree in Political Science from Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch. Additionally, Araghchi holds a Ph.D. in Political Thought from the University of Kent.[6]
Career
editAraghchi entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran in 1989. In early 1990s, he served as chargé d'affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Organization of Islamic Conference, based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.[2]
Prior to becoming Ambassador, Araghchi served as Director General of the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS). From 2004 to 2005, he was chancellor of School of International Relations.[2]
He served as ambassador to Finland (1999–2003) and Japan (2007–2011).[2]
He served as a former political deputy at the foreign ministry from 2017 to 2021. He previously held office as the Deputy for Asia–Pacific and the Commonwealth Affairs[7] and Legal and International Affairs of the foreign ministry.[2] He served as Iran's chief nuclear negotiator in talks with the P5+1, in Hassan Rouhani's government.[8]
Foreign minister
editAraghchi was nominated to be President Masoud Pezeshkian foreign minister as of 11 August 2024[9] and eventually became Minister of Foreign Affairs following a vote of confidence by the Islamic Consultative Assembly on 21 August.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Araghchi became Iranian Ambassador to Tokyo". Iranian Students' News Agency (in Persian). 28 October 2007. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f "Deputy for Legal & International Affairs". Islamic Republic of Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- ^ "Iran's FM, nuclear chief, DM receive medals for role in nuclear deal". Iranian Students' News Agency. 8 February 2016. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ Marie Donovan; Paul Bucala & Caitlin Shayda Pendleton (15 June 2016), "Iran News Round Up: Former IRGC commander: Our ambassadors in Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria are Quds Force members", AEI Critical Threats Project, with contributors Ken Hawrey and Shayan Enferadi, retrieved 10 September 2017
- ^ "سید عباس عراقچی". دانشنامه ویکیدا (in Persian). 2024-08-11. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ "سید عباس عراقچی - دانشنامه ویکیدا". fa.wikida.ir (in Persian). Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ "Seyyed Abbas Araghchi became Asia–Pacific Deputy of Minister of Foreign Affairs". Iranian Students' News Agency (in Persian). 24 December 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ "Iran Demotes Top Nuclear Diplomat in Foreign Ministry Reshuffle". BNN Bloomberg. 14 September 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-09-23.
- ^ "Iran's president proposes an ex-nuclear negotiator as foreign minister. A woman is also on the list". Associated Press. 11 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ "Iran's hard-line parliament approves all members of president's Cabinet, first time since 2001". Associated Press. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-22.