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Abbas Araghchi

Abbas Araghchi
Abbas Araghchi is a highly experienced Iranian career diplomat, currently serving as the Foreign Minister of Iran. He has held significant roles including Ambassador to Finland (1999-2003) and Japan (2008-2011), plus various Deputy Foreign Minister positions, notably for Legal and International Affairs (2005-2008, 2013-2018) and Political Affairs (2018-2021). Araghchi was a pivotal figure in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear negotiations, serving as Iran’s chief negotiator. His expertise lies in international relations and shaping Iran’s foreign policy.
Protesters in London burn images of Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally held on Sunday in solidarity with demonstrations in Iran. Photo: AFP
China-Middle East relations

China denounces use of force in Middle East as Trump threatens Iran strikes

Beijing calls for ‘peace and stability’ in the region amid escalating protests in Iran.

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Iran

Iran will target US, Israel if Trump strikes over protest

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Middle East

Trump says protest-hit Iran in ‘big trouble’, again threatens military strike

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Middle East

Iran and Gaza plan to top agenda for Netanyahu-Trump meeting

The Israeli prime minister is set to visit Washington to discuss the next phase of Trump’s Gaza plan with his key US ally.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem in October. Photo: AFP
United States

Opinion | Trump’s nuclear turn risks upsetting fragile global strategic balance

US president may have wanted to project strength, but nuclear weapons testing could further isolate America and spark a new cold war.

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China-Middle East relations

China calls for fresh talks on Iran’s nuclear programme to end ‘deadlock’

Foreign Minister Wang Yi expresses support for Tehran after Britain, France and Germany’s decision to reimpose sanctions.

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Middle East

Iran says no longer bound by ‘restrictions’ on nuclear programme as deal ends

The 2015 deal signed with world powers began to fall apart years ago after the US unilaterally withdrew and reinstated sanctions.

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An Iranian Kheibar-Shekan medium-range ballistic missile is placed next to a large banner depicting Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (centre) in Baharestan Square in Tehran, Iran, on September 27. Photo: EPA
Middle East

Iran puts nuclear talks on hold as European sanctions bite

Tehran is refusing talks ‘at this stage’ as it examines the implications of the reimposed sanctions via the UN snapback mechanism.

Middle East

UN Security Council rejects China and Russia’s bid to delay Iran sanctions

European leaders have triggered a ‘snapback’ mechanism after failing to reach a deal on Tehran’s nuclear programme following weeks of talks.

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US-Iran tensions

US bars Iran’s diplomats from shopping at Costco without government permission

The State Department’s directive requires Iranian envoys in New York to obtain approval to buy luxury goods at US wholesale retailers.

Iranian diplomats have been banned from shopping at wholesale shops such as Costco without permission from the State Department. Photo: AP
Iran

Iran denies reported meeting with European officials in Austria

Iran said Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was heading to New York, not Vienna, as sanctions over the country’s nuclear programme loom.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Photo: AFP
Middle East

UN Security Council votes against lifting Iran ‘snapback’ sanctions

The decision leaves Tehran and European powers with just eight days to work out a deal to delay the measures.

Middle East

Iran and UN nuclear watchdog pave way for resuming cooperation

Relations between Tehran and the IAEA had soured after the US and Israel conducted air strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

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Iran

‘Snapback’ sanctions on Iran loom as IAEA chief’s concerns remain

E3 states threaten sanctions on Tehran, as IAEA chief Grossi says Iran’s cooperation with inspectors is a ‘work in progress’.

A satellite image taken on January 1, 2025 shows the Bushehr reactors, 1,200km south of Tehran, Iran. File photo: Maxar Technologies via AFP
Middle East

UN inspectors back in Iran amid nuclear programme talks, no inspection deal yet

The return, amid ongoing tensions and stalled negotiations, marks a critical step in restoring oversight after Israel’s attacks.

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A worker rides a bicycle in front of the reactor building of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran. Photo: AP
Iran

Iran nuclear deal risks collapse over European demand for talks, inspection

The so-called E3 say they would trigger a clause of the 2015 nuclear deal to reimpose sanctions against Iran if it fails to comply.

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Middle East

Iran says US accountability for attacks must be part of talks

Iran said it will hold the US accountable for attacks on its nuclear sites in any future talks, a demand Washington has dismissed as ‘ridiculous’.

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Middle East

Iran blames Europe for nuclear deal failure ahead of first talks since US strikes

Iran has accused European powers of non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, contributing to its collapse ahead of talks in Istanbul on Friday.

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Pictures of Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, at a cemetery in southern Iran. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
Iran

Can talks save Iran nuclear deal? Europe and Tehran eye meeting

The E3 nations have warned ‘snapback’ sanctions could be invoked against Tehran if nuclear talks between the US and Iran were to stall.

Israel-Iran conflict

US-Iran nuclear talks ‘won’t take place’ if conditioned on stopping enrichment

The talks have stalled since the US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.

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China-Russia relations

China-Russia ties are more mature and stable than any major relationship: Wang

China’s foreign minister tells Russian counterpart Putin’s coming visit to China is among top priorities in a ‘turbulent and changing world’.

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On Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who arrived in China after a North Korea visit. It was the second Wang-Lavrov meeting within a week. Photo: EPA/Russian Foreign Ministry
Middle East

Iran open to US nuclear talks, but demands ‘assurance’ against further attacks

This demand follows last month’s Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites and a US strike, complicating negotiations and reaffirming Iran’s uranium enrichment plans.

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Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise. Photo: West Asia News Agency/Reuters
Middle East

Iran suspends cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog IAEA

Iranian president’s order follows a 12-day conflict with Israel as Tehran seeks to reassess security and potentially gain leverage.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Iran reveals 71 killed in Israeli attack on Tehran’s notorious Evin prison

Tehran’s judiciary confirmed the casualties, including staff and inmates, from the June 23 strike on facility.

Israel-Gaza war

Trump calls for deal on Gaza war as signs of progress emerge

An Israeli official confirmed a top Netanyahu adviser will travel to Washington for ceasefire discussions.

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Relatives mourn over the body of a loved one killed, along with others, in Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip. Photo: AP
Israel-Iran conflict

Thousands mourn Iranian commanders and scientists killed in Israeli strikes

Crowds chanted ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel’ as the caskets were driven through downtown Tehran.

Crowds gather in Tehran on Saturday for the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes. Photo: WANA via Reuters
Israel-Iran conflict

From Iraq to Iran: the US quest for Israeli military dominance – and its fallout

This decades-long strategy has not only redrawn the regional map but also exposed the limits of China’s Middle East influence, analysts say.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Battered Iran faces uncertain future after 12-day war with Israel

Decimated military ranks and mauled alliances might push Tehran to openly pursue a nuclear bomb or renewed talks with the US.

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