Iran’s Araghchi touted as ‘pragmatic’ in US relations

A prominent conservative political figure in Iran suggests that the nomination of Abbas Araghchi as the new Foreign Minister signals Tehran's readiness for negotiations with the West.

Abbas Salimi Namin stated in an interview with the Khabar Online website in Tehran that Araghchi's inclusion in the cabinet could accelerate the push for negotiations aimed at lifting US sanctions against Iran.

In his meeting with Iranian lawmakers ahead of the parliament's (Majles) vote of confidence on President Pezeshkian's ministers, Araghchi's comments were summarized by Iranian and international media into two key points: the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) is beyond revival, and Iran should temper its hostility toward the United States.

The media in Tehran have also opined that Araghchi's appointment as Foreign Minister indicates that Iran is likely to adopt a pragmatic approach to its relations with the United States.

However, there was another angle in Araghchi’s remarks. He did not mention the need for reaching any agreement that could address the concerns of the United States. Instead, he underlined that diplomatic and military pressure is needed to have the sanctions lifted.

Salimi Namin in his interview said that the Majles will certainly give its vote of confidence to Araghchi and this will impact the minister's ability to negotiate for the lifting of sanctions on Iran.

While many observers and lawmakers in Iran are pessimistic about the result of the vote of confidence for some of Pezeshkian's ministers, almost all who have spoken publicly about the matter, including Mohammad Bagheri Banai, a member of the "independent" MPs fraction are adamant that Araghchi will face any challenge.

Salimi Namin further said that like former president Ebrahim Raisi, Pezeshkian has also promised to open up to the world in a bid to solve the nation's financial problems. That comparison might not bode well for the future of US-Iran relations, as the Raisi administration effectively scuttles the nuclear talks in Vienna by constant deals, which finally ended when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Namin reiterated that Araghchi's appointment will strengthen support for trying to have the sanctions lifted. This, in other words, means that Iran is no longer going to work toward what it called "reviving the JCPOA," as it appears that Tehran has finally realized that the United States is no longer interested in the 2015 nuclear deal and is looking for a new package deal that would address several regional security issues as well.

In another development, according to Nameh News, a 2021 videoshowing the hardline editor of Kayhan newspaper, Hossein Shariatmadari strongly defending Araghchi has gone viral on social media. The video shows Shariamadari in a talk show on the IRGC- linked Ofogh channel of the Iranian state TV saying Arghchi's views are different from those of former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Shariatmadari also praised the former nuclear negotiator for what he called "not giving any concession to US negotiators during the Vienna talks" in 2014 which led to the signing of the 2015 nuclear deal. "Without him, we would have lost many things," said Shariatmadari.

Meanwhile, Iran's Former ambassador to the United Nations, Majid Takht Ravanchi has said that the situation for both Iran and the United States is different from what it was ten years ago. As far as an agreement with Iran is concerned, the US Congress will make it difficult for any government in Washington to make a deal with Tehran. Ravanchi reiterated however that in Washington only hardliners believe the Iranian regime is illegitimate and others are open to talks with Tehran.