Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, presented his cabinet to parliament on Sunday for a vote of confidence, state media reported. Among the proposed ministers is seasoned diplomat Abbas Araqchi, nominated as foreign minister during a time of heightened regional tensions.
Pezeshkian, who assumed office after winning a snap election following the death of hardline President Ebrahim Raisi in May, is forming his cabinet amid the escalating conflict in Gaza.
The recent killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut have increased the risk of broader regional conflict.
Araqchi, 61, is a pragmatic diplomat who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to several countries, including Japan. He played a crucial role in negotiating Tehran’s 2015 nuclear agreement with six world powers, which former U.S. President Donald Trump exited in 2018, leading to the re-imposition of sanctions on Iran. Araqchi later led Iran’s negotiations in multilateral efforts to revive the deal before being replaced by hardliner Ali Bagheri Kani in 2021.
Pezeshkian’s proposed cabinet lineup requires approval from lawmakers, with parliamentary commissions beginning reviews on Monday. While the president holds significant influence, ultimate authority in Iran rests with the Supreme Leader, who has the final say on major policies.
