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Araghchi Pledges Foreign Policy Aligned with Khamenei’s Guidance

Abbas Araghchi outlines his program to the Iranian parliament before confidence vote (Tasnim)
Abbas Araghchi outlines his program to the Iranian parliament before confidence vote (Tasnim)
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Araghchi Pledges Foreign Policy Aligned with Khamenei’s Guidance

Abbas Araghchi outlines his program to the Iranian parliament before confidence vote (Tasnim)
Abbas Araghchi outlines his program to the Iranian parliament before confidence vote (Tasnim)

Veteran diplomat Abbas Araghchi defended his record as Iran’s parliament debated his nomination for foreign minister, with lawmakers divided over his role in the 2015 nuclear deal.
Some criticized his involvement in the agreement, while others praised his loyalty to the directives of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his efforts to align diplomacy with military strategy, particularly the Revolutionary Guards’ role in regional foreign policy.
The parliament continued its review of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s cabinet nominees, focusing on candidates for the intelligence, economy, health, and foreign ministries.
In his pitch to become the country’s top diplomat, Araghchi promised a “comprehensive and effective” foreign policy to tackle regional and global challenges, insisting on an approach free from political biases.
He outlined three key goals: protecting national interests, strengthening security, and upholding the country’s dignity.
Araghchi emphasized that the regime’s positions, parliamentary laws, and the Supreme Leader’s guidance would be his main directives.
“I will serve the Supreme Leader, be accountable to parliament, and protect the nation’s interests,” Araghchi said, reaffirming his commitment to countering sanctions while staying alert to changes in the global landscape.
Additionally, Araghchi outlined his top foreign policy priorities, placing China, Russia, and emerging powers in Africa, Latin America, and East Asia at the forefront.
“These nations supported us during sanctions, and they will be central to our foreign policy,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of “good neighborliness,” vowing to strengthen ties with neighboring countries to capitalize on political and economic opportunities.
Regarding Europe, Araghchi took a cautious stance: “If Europe changes its hostile behavior, it will become a priority.”
Regarding the US, the foreign minister hopeful stated that Iran’s approach would focus on “managing conflict” rather than resolving it.
Discussing nuclear negotiations, Araghchi highlighted his consistent commitment to the regime’s positions.

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German Warships Await Orders on Crossing Taiwan Strait

Sailors line the deck of the German frigate F222 Baden-Wuerttemberg in New York City, US, May 22, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
Sailors line the deck of the German frigate F222 Baden-Wuerttemberg in New York City, US, May 22, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
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German Warships Await Orders on Crossing Taiwan Strait

Sailors line the deck of the German frigate F222 Baden-Wuerttemberg in New York City, US, May 22, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
Sailors line the deck of the German frigate F222 Baden-Wuerttemberg in New York City, US, May 22, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

Two German warships await orders from Berlin, their commander said, to determine whether next month they will be the first German naval vessels in decades to pass through the Taiwan Strait, drawing a rebuke from Beijing.
While the U.S. and other nations, including Canada, have sent warships through the narrow strait in recent weeks, it would be the German navy's first passage through the strait since 2002.
China claims sovereignty over democratically governed Taiwan, and says it has jurisdiction over the nearly 180-km (110 miles) wide waterway that divides the two sides and is part of the South China Sea. Taiwan strongly objects to China’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s people can decide their future.
The Taiwan Strait is a major trade route through which about half of global container ships pass, and both the United States and Taiwan say it's an international waterway.
"The decision has not been taken yet," the commander of the naval task group, Rear Admiral Axel Schulz, told Reuters in a telephone interview, adding the weather would play a role.
"We are showing our flag here to demonstrate that we stand by our partners and friends, our commitment to the rules-based order, the peaceful solution of territorial conflicts and free and secure shipping lanes."
Asked about the German ships' potential passage, China's foreign ministry said Taiwan was an internal Chinese affair and the key to stability was opposing Taiwan's independence.
"China has always been opposed to the undermining of China's territorial sovereignty and security under the guise of freedom of navigation," ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing.
Before their possible passage through the strait next month, the frigate Baden-Wuerttemberg and the replenishment ship Frankfurt am Main plan to call in Tokyo on Tuesday. They will also make stops in South Korea and the Philippines.
They will take part in exercises in the region with France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and the United States.
Over the last four years, Beijing's military has increased its activities in the strait.
EXPANDING MILITARY PRESENCE
Sailings through the waterway by foreign warships, especially American, are regularly condemned by Beijing, which says such missions "undermine peace and stability" in the region.
Germany, for whom both China and Taiwan, with its huge chip industry, are major trade partners, has joined other Western nations in expanding its military presence in the region as their alarm has grown over Beijing's territorial ambitions.
In 2021, a German warship sailed through the South China Sea, for the first time in almost 20 years.
Last month, the Luftwaffe deployed fighter jets to Japan for the first joint drills there.
Schulz said he was not planning for any specific security measures should the warships under his command cross the Taiwan Strait, calling it a "normal passage" similar to sailing through the English Channel or the North Sea.
However, he anticipated any passage would be closely monitored.
"I expect the Chinese navy and potentially the coastguard or maritime militia to escort us," he said, describing this as common practice.