Revolutionary yet Realistic

Revolutionary yet pragmatic

Abbas Araghchi, like his late predecessor Hossein Amirabdollahian, started his career as a political analyst in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but climbed higher ranks at a faster pace.

Araghchi’s appointment should be seen as a positive development during times of high and increasing tensions in the region.

In addition to his extensive experience in international affairs and nuclear negotiations, he has a strong revolutionary background that can somewhat shield him from domestic criticisms.

Hossein Mousavian, former Iranian ambassador to Germany and spokesperson for nuclear negotiations in the early 2000s, has stated in interviews that Araghchi is one of the most professional diplomats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a very good reputation.

He has no affiliation with any political faction and is respected by the majority of them. Araghchi, a seasoned diplomat, has played several important roles, including serving as Iran’s ambassador to Finland from 1999 to 2003 and as the head of the Western European Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2004, during Iran’s initial negotiations on its nuclear program with the UK, France, and Germany. In 2005, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 2008, he became the ambassador to Japan and held this position until managing affairs in Asia and the Pacific from 2011 to 2013.

Then, Javad Zarif appointed Araghchi as his deputy in the nuclear negotiations after the election of President Hassan Rouhani in 2013.

Araghchi, described by his American counterpart Wendy Sherman in 2018 in her memoir as tough, determined, calm, and an expert on the details of the nuclear fuel cycle, played a key role in negotiations that peaked in 2015.

The comprehensive Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed in the same year between Iran, the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and Germany.

The Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, while Iran was fully compliant, exchanging sanctions relief for verifiable limitations on its nuclear program.

After the Biden administration took office in 2021 and made efforts to revive this agreement, Araghchi led Iran’s negotiating team in Vienna.

It is said that he had a draft ready for signature, however, as Rouhani stated in June 2021 after leaving his position, he did not give Zarif the authority to finalize this deal. Zarif has been a staunch defender of the JCPOA and nuclear negotiations since leaving office.

According to him, this agreement had three distinct advantages for Iran. Firstly, it lifted the sanctions.

Secondly, it legitimized Iran’s nuclear program, including uranium enrichment.

Thirdly, it neutralized the enemies of Iran who portrayed the Islamic Republic as a serious threat to international peace.

Zarif has taken a pragmatic stance towards the United States.

He announced in January 2024 that as long as the Islamic Republic adheres to its revolutionary and anti-imperialist discourse, resolving fundamental issues with the US is not possible, but differences can be managed.

He said either abandon the anti-imperialist discourse, meaning you are no longer the Islamic Republic, or you must confront the US.

Therefore, solving the problem is not possible, but managing it is conceivable.

Iraqi diplomats, despite their expertise, will likely face significant challenges at the Foreign Ministry. Iranian foreign ministers have even more limited influence in shaping foreign policy than US State Department.

They must always navigate carefully with deep government institutions, especially the Revolutionary Guards, which play a role in the decision-making process.

Zarif in 2021 mentioned this as a struggle between diplomacy and the battlefield. Araghchi outlined his priorities in parliament and promised active and effective comprehensive diplomacy.

He calls for establishing a relationship based on mutual respect with Europeans, managing hostilities with the US, and seeking the dignified cancellation of US sanctions through serious and targeted negotiations.

Araghchi’s agenda, like many other Iranian authorities, includes maintaining strong relations with China and Russia, and expanding cooperation with emerging economies like India, Indonesia, South Africa, and Brazil.