Araqchi returns as Iran's Foreign Minister amid regional tensions and nuclear diplomacy - analysis

Abbas Araqchi, the new Iranian foreign minister, is taking the reins at his new office. After he was appointed and approved by parliament, he visited the Foreign Ministry for the first time on Thursday.

This is important because it comes as Iran has continuing tensions with the US and Israel in the region and preceding important UN meetings over the next month.

“Upon arrival, Araqchi first appeared at the Martyrs Memorial at the ministry’s complex and paid his respect to the martyrs and renewed his allegiance to their lofty ideals,” Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.

“The top diplomat then held the first meeting with the Council of Deputy Ministers, where he honored former president Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and hailed their sincere service to the nation.”

Araqchi was previously a deputy foreign minister, but he was replaced in 2021. His return to the ministry brings him full circle. In 2021, Amirabdollahian replaced Araqchi with Ali Bagheri Kani, who became acting foreign minister when Amirabdollahian and Raisi died in a helicopter crash.

Key regional challenges

“While referring to the opportunities and challenges before the country in the current regional and international circumstances and the expectations of Iran’s supreme leader from the new administration, Araqchi stressed the need to respond to these expectations and hopes with a collective and maximal effort, especially with the Foreign Ministry’s role in promoting the country’s affairs successfully in various fields,” IRNA reported.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry does not conduct Tehran’s most important policies. Iran leans heavily on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to conduct most of its policies in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. Therefore, the minister is not always the most important person in the room.

Nevertheless, his role is important in the wider context of Iran’s nuclear program and its ties with Russia, China, and Turkey. His trips are also important for showcasing Iran’s access to the region.Iran has recently reconciled with Saudi Arabia, for instance, and it is seeking closer ties with Egypt. This is important because Iran wants to isolate Israel in the region.